Deborah loved geeky science and she would have been so proud of Bowelbabe lab, say family as unit is named in her honour
Last week the Stem Cell and Cancer Biology Lab at the Francis Crick Institute, near King's Cross station in London,
Advertisement
8
Dame Deborah James' nickname is now etched on the door of one of Britain's leading cancer research labs
Credit: instagram/bowelbabe
8
TV's Deborah died of bowel cancer in 2022
Credit: Instagram
Her brother Ben and sister Sarah Wieczorek took part in Sunday's London Marathon, both dressed as a poo, to raise money for the Bowelbabe Fund.
Ben, 34, told The Sun: 'Debs loved geeky science, especially this project where they are growing organoids and mini bowels.
'Whether it's cutting-edge research into personalised medicine or early detection, she loved it and she wanted to set up this fund to do exactly this.'
And Debs' husband, Seb Bowen told how she would have been 'unbelievably proud' to see the impact her Fund is having.
Advertisement
READ MORE ON BOWEL CANCER
'Exciting but bittersweet'
He said: 'I felt so many emotions, but the overwhelming one was a sense of enormous pride at Deborah's fund being a part of this amazing, world-class institution.'
Sun columnist Dame Debs died from bowel cancer aged just 40 in 2022 but not before starting a massive charity and awareness movement to help save others from suffering the same fate.
Cash from her £17million legacy Bowelbabe Fund is now paying scientists on the frontline of bowel cancer research.
They are growing tiny organs in petri dishes and conducting DNA analysis to work out how to catch and treat the devastating disease.
Advertisement
Most read in Health
The Sun joined Debs' family last week for a tour of the facility with researchers, Cancer Research UK and the Health Secretary
Ben added: 'We've all enjoyed learning the science side of things. Like many families, you get into it when you are impacted by it.
Sun Health Explainer: Bowel Cancer
'Debs was fortunate enough to be with us for five years plus because of some of this research, and during that time she brought us into the loop and kept beating the drum for better awareness and understanding.
'It is always bittersweet but it's really exciting for the family to see that the money generously donated by the public is going to great use.'
Advertisement
Bowel cancer is one of the most common types of tumour in the UK and the second biggest cancer killer.
Around 17,000 Brits die from the disease each year, fewer only than lung cancer which claims 35,000 lives.
Half of cases could be prevented with healthier living but many are harder to explain.
Scientists are particularly worried that the disease is becoming more common in young adults such as Debs, who was diagnosed aged just 35.
Advertisement
Michelle Mitchell, chief executive of Cancer Research UK, said: 'Bowel cancer research is a significant priority for us. We are seeing a dramatic in- crease in early onset cancer around the world. We don't exactly know why yet, but that's why more research is absolutely critical.'
Dr Ian Walker, director of policy at the charity, added: 'The key thing for us is that we know if you detect bowel cancers early you have a significant change in your prognosis.
'Patients detected with very early stage bowel cancer have 90-plus per cent survival after five years.
'Whereas if you detect bowel cancer in the later stage of stage four that can be around only ten per cent.'
Advertisement
Scientists working in the Bowelbabe lab, led by Dr Vivian Li, are studying early warning proteins in at-risk patients.
They hope to be able to detect chemical signals in blood or poo samples that could help with faster diagnosis of less common tumours.
Analysing genes that appear only in people with cancer could also help to develop early warning signs and provide targets for treatment.
A big focus for the team is the issue of chemotherapy resistance.
Advertisement
This occurs when treatment stops working because a tumour gets used to the drugs being used to attack it.
8
Debs' brother Ben poses next to the lab sign
Credit: Simon Jones
8
Health Sec Wes Streeting meets Debs' parents Heather and Alistair
Credit: Simon Jones
Dr Li estimates this happens eventually in 90 per cent of patients with stage four cancer that has spread.
Advertisement
She told The Sun: 'One of our recent findings is a gene called SOX2, which potentially contributes to chemotherapy resistance.
'That gene drives the cancer cell to go to sleep and the
'Now we're trying to revert that to sensitise the patient to chemotherapy.'
Dr Li's lab is also trying new approaches to immunotherapy, which harnesses the body's own immune system to attack cancer cells.
Advertisement
They are able to test new treatment methods or genetic therapies on fascinating organoids in the lab.
Organoids are tiny human organs or tumours grown in petri dishes using cells harvested from patients.
They react just like the cells in the body parts doctors want to target, meaning researchers can test how different approaches might work in the clinic.
'Pushing the frontiers'
Supporting Dr Li's project was a no-brainer for Debs' family.
Advertisement
Towards the end of her life, Dame Debs had an organoid of her own bowel tumour created, at the Institute of Cancer Research in London.
Deborah would've shared my pride, she would've found it all really, really exciting
Seb Bowen
She was also a regular visitor to laboratories including those at The Crick where she helped lift the curtain on the cutting-edge science giving so many cancer patients hope.
After being diagnosed in 2016, the former deputy head teacher made it her mission to raise awareness, dressing up in poo emojis to break taboos and urging people: 'Check your poo!'
FUND HIT £17M
THE BowelBabe Fund was set up in May 2022 after Debs revealed in her final Sun column she had returned to her parents' home to receive palliative care.
Dame Deborah made a final plea for people to help her hit £10million and, since her death, the fund soared to £17million.
The cash has funded projects – including a new X-ray machine at the Royal Marsden Hospital in Surrey, where she was treated, and a bowel cancer roadshow to raise awareness.
Most of the money is funding cutting edge cancer research, including new treatments, better testing, using AI for diagnosis and understanding how tumours spread.
If you would like to donate go to bowelbabe.org
She shared the signs and symptoms every one should know in her Sun column, Things Cancer Made Me Say, and called for action to invest in research to find new treatments.
Advertisement
Deborah often said she was 'riding on the wings of science' — a reference to the fact new, cutting-edge treatments helped her survive for five-and-a-half years, when statistics suggested she might not live a year.
So seeing her name adorned on the door of a lab at The Crick was such a special moment for her family.
Her parents Heather and Alistair, told The Sun: 'Deborah would be over the moon to know that a lab dedicated to finding new treatments bears her name.'
8
Ben, centre, and Seb Bowen meet Wes at the lab
Credit: Simon Jones
Advertisement
Seb added: 'With talented scientists from around the world and CRUK, the UK is at the forefront of cancer research, and I'm not sure many people realise that.
'Deborah would've shared my pride, she would've found it all really, really exciting.
'To see money raised in her name helping fund projects that will hopefully one day help save lives, was exactly what she hoped for.
'It's inspiring to know the fund has the potential to have such a positive impact.'
Advertisement
One of the reasons Dame Deborah's legacy is so impactful is that every time she's in The Sun or in the media, we see searches for bowel cancer symptoms going up and people going and getting tested
Wes Streeting
Her parents added: 'Deborah didn't want us all sitting around feeling sad, and in setting up the Bowelbabe Fund she ensured that we always have a really positive focus.
'She has, and continues to be, at the forefront of our minds when we decide on the projects to support — made easier by the fact we all know what she would've wanted. To know that she is still helping to save lives almost three years on, makes us all very proud.'
Wes Streeting, a cancer survivor himself, visited the lab last week with Debs' family.
He said: 'One of the reasons Dame Deborah's legacy is so impactful is that every time she's in The Sun or in the media, we see searches for bowel cancer symptoms going up and people going and getting tested.
Advertisement
'The work that is now being done in her name and the fundraising that has taken place in her name — thanks to her amazing family — is pushing the frontiers of medical science in this area.
'That legacy lives on so it's entirely fitting that we've now got the Bowelbabe Lab here with Cancer Research UK at the Crick Institute.'
8
Debs' husband, Seb told how she would've been 'unbelievably proud' to see the impact her Fund is having
Credit: Getty
8
Deborah's nickname on the laboratory window
Credit: Simon Jones
Advertisement
8
Ben with sister Sarah after running Sunday's London Marathon
Credit: Supplied
CHECK YOUR POO
DAME Debs told anyone who would listen to 'check your poo' in her crusade to raise awareness.
These are the most common signs of potential bowel cancer:
Poo becoming looser, harder, or diarrhoea or constipation that doesn't go away
Signs of red or black blood in the toilet
Needing to poo more or less often than usual
Bloating, feeling full or like you need to go when you don't
Tummy or lower back pain
An unexplained lump near your gut
Feeling tired all the time
Losing weight for no reason
If you are worried about any symptoms, speak to your GP.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
13 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Do you have flaky, weak nails? Get them strong and long in one application with 5-star Boots buy
Restore your nail health for less than £10 QUICK FIX Do you have flaky, weak nails? Get them strong and long in one application with 5-star Boots buy RESTORE your nail health with Boots' five star buy that will leave them feeling stronger and longer in just one application. Beauty fans have been racing to Boots to get their hands on this nourishing nail and cuticle care pen. Advertisement 2 The No 7 product that restores nails, leaving them longer and stronger Credit: Boots The Boots product that will heal your nails If you are looking to restore your nail health this summer, Boots may have the perfect solution. The No 7 star product has become the latest craze amongst beauty enthusiasts. The Nourishing Nail and Cuticle Care Pen has been billed as the ultimate solution to flaky, weak nails, and it won't break the bank either. Retailing for just £6.95 the treatment provides continuous moisture which nourishes the skin and promotes nail growth. Advertisement The product description recommends users massage the product into nails and cuticles once a day to see the best results. This nail saviour has gone a storm with Boots shoppers, with the product receiving 100 five star reviews. Glowing reveals for star nail product One glowing review reads: "Absolutely the best cuticle cream I have used - very easy to use and super results. "Having used more expensive brands I now realise that No 7 is the one I will always use in the future." Advertisement Another delighted shopper added: "One one application and I have noticed a difference. "My nails were flaky and split all the time. They are now actually growing without breaking." Beauty fans can get their nails done professionally for just £5 in Superdrug - here's how One happy customer also praised its affordable price point, writing: "Very cheap bur very good product!!!" The hypo-allergenic product comes in a 10ml container. Advertisement How to keep your nails in pristine condition Nail techs often recommend that avid acrylic and gel users take breaks in between every few sets, to give them a bit of a break. If you're looking to start the natural journey or are looking to just enhance nail condition, nail strengtheners and cuticle oils are a great place to start. Other nail strengtheners and oil that The Sun recommends include OPI's Nail Envy, Sally Hansen's Miracle Cure, and Jessica's Bend Don't Break. If you are in the market for another more affordable option, Barry M's Mani Hero is less than £5 and promises to be a great quality, budget-friendly alternative. Advertisement Earlier this month, nail pro Sarah Green, also told The Sun the four things people should avoid doing to keep them in good condition. Among her pro tips were avoiding using hot water, using UV protection and applying cuticle oil. Following this advice may help ensure your at-home manicure stays in pristine condition and chip-free for much longer. NAILS NO-NO A NAIL expert has revealed the two words that prospective clients say that can gets them ghosted. There's plenty of bad habits such as being glued to your phone and creating awkward conversations that can lead to a frosty atmosphere in the salon. But some beauty fans could ruin their chances of an appointment before they're even through the door. Nickie runs her own salon in Musselburgh, East Lothian, and also trains up other prospective nail technicians. In a recent TikTok video, she revealed her "unpopular opinion" about message enquiries. She said: "I'm not replying to you if you just write to me 'how much'. "Sorry? How much for what? How much for nails? How much for training? Eyebrows? Hair? A lift to your mum's house? "Like what even happened to 'hey how are you?'. Not even a 'how are you?' Just like a 'hi'. "'Hi. How much is nails?' Or 'how much is training?' "[Just] 'How much?' Like? I'm sorry but I can't even reply because I feel like it's like a waste of my time because then I know you're not going to reply back to me again." 2 The No 7 product has been a huge hit amongst beauty lovers Credit: Getty
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- The Irish Sun
Rise of ‘faux-zempic' fake weight loss drugs being imported into UK black market & sold on social media…how to spot dupe
Celeb Big Brother star Aisleyne Horgan-Wallace tells Sun Club readers she 'thought she was going to die' and even lost her eyesight after unknowingly taking fake weight-loss jabs FAKE JAB HELL Rise of 'faux-zempic' fake weight loss drugs being imported into UK black market & sold on social media…how to spot dupe WEIGHT-LOSS drugs can be a silver bullet for some trying to shed the pounds after years of failure with fad diets and exercise routines. But dodgy vendors selling potentially deadly fake jabs laced with everything from rat poison to cement have appeared on the black market - with murky labs in foreign countries fuelling the supply, experts have told The Sun. 16 Bags of fake Ozempic pens seized in a UK crackdown Credit: MHRA 16 Michelle Sword fell into a coma after using fake fat jabs - which turned out to be insulin Credit: Supplied 16 Aisleyne Horgan-Wallace thought she'd bagged herself a bargain after buying fat jabs through a WhatsApp group - but says she 'nearly died' Credit: aisleyne1/Instagram 16 Wegovy and Mounjaro are the licensed weight loss jabs in the UK Credit: Getty Celeb endorsements and gushing influencers have encouraged many people who can't get fat jabs prescribed by the NHS to look for Wegovy, Ozempic, and Mounjaro elsewhere. And some Brits have found out the hard way about the perils of gambling with fake drugs - which can contain a cocktail of poison, including cement and arsenic. One of those was Celeb Big Brother star Aisleyne Horgan-Wallace, who told The Sun she "thought she was going to die" and even lost her eyesight after unknowingly taking fake weight-loss jabs. She was left bedridden for three days, constantly vomiting and was unable to even walk to her en-suite toilet after injecting what she dubbed a "syringe of horror". Her crystal clear message to anyone thinking about buying weight-loss jabs from an unofficial source is: "Don't." So-called "skinny jabs" require a prescription from a qualified medic - and must be obtained from registered pharmacies. Ozempic is only licensed as a type 2 diabetes treatment in the UK, unlike in America, meaning the NHS cannot prescribe it for weight loss. Private doctors may be willing to prescribe it "off-label" for weight loss - but that exposes people to a higher risk of being duped, experts say. Meanwhile, Wegovy and Mounjaro can be prescribed on the NHS for weight loss - and may also be bought privately. Crucially, private purchases also need a prescription from a qualified medic - and online platforms are required to conduct a face-to-face or video consultation before dispensing the drugs. Towie star Saffron Lempriere reveals how she lost 12 pounds in 4 weeks - without fat jabs But in reality, jabs can be bought without prescriptions - widely available from social media or unlicensed websites posing as pharmacies flogging the stuff for less than half price at around £80. 'Dicing with death' Health chiefs warned last year that deadly fakes had reached the UK market - and broken into the legitimate supply chain. So far, over 100 deaths have been linked to weight loss drugs in the UK, according to recent data, and it's unclear if any deaths have been linked to fake jabs. But a leading GP who spoke to the BBC warned that those buying weight loss drugs online are "dicing with death". Counterfeits are often linked to organised crime groups, according to Anne Devaud, the head of product security at Novo Nordisk - the manufacturer of Ozempic and Wegovy. Anne told The Sun: "There are lots of sellers in Turkey using UK or French phone numbers to hide where the supply is really coming from. "The best way for these criminals to flog their wares is through social media - because that's where Brits naturally turn," she added. I can't believe that I allowed my insecurities to almost kill me Michelle Sword Groups in China are one of the primary sources for the fakes, Anne said, but the company has also identified counterfeit manufacturing in places like Turkey and Brazil. Anne said: "There are different sources of illicit manufacturing. "Some may order semaglutide from, for example, a Chinese supplier and then do their own stuff. "But another group might simply put starch or water inside - because the purpose is solely to make money." Real Ozempic and Wegovy jabs contain the active ingredient semaglutide, while Mounjaro uses a compound of the same chemical with another called tirzepatide. But fake pens can contain dangerously high doses of semaglutide, or different drugs entirely, like insulin, which can make people seriously sick if taken unnecessarily. Some online platforms also sell real products which have been shipped from overseas, where the same rigorous standards don't apply. Experts say that the rise of counterfeit drugs is a consequence of the supply struggling to keep up with demand - and imposter jabs present a range of perils. 16 Mum-of-two Michelle Sword managed to get hold of the fake jabs without any medical checks, and was told it could be delivered straight away Credit: David Hartley 16 Michelle said, 'I can't believe that I allowed my insecurities to almost kill me' Credit: Supplied 16 An original Ozempic pen, top, vs a counterfeit, bottom Credit: PA 16 Counterfeit semaglutide and Ozempic jabs seized in the US Credit: CNBC Toby Nicol, CEO at CheqUp, told The Sun: "The surge in popularity of weight loss injections has unfortunately created a lucrative opportunity for counterfeiters. "Fake weight loss drugs often originate from unregulated manufacturing operations, where oversight is minimal and quality control can be nonexistent - they are only interested in cash, not care. "These counterfeit products frequently enter the market through unauthorised online pharmacies or social media marketplaces that bypass regulation and rules. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is Toby Nicol "They come in one of two forms - either in pens which mimic those offered genuinely for Mounjaro and Wegovy or sold simply as some powder in a vial to which people add water. "This latter type is very common on TikTok where patients are encouraged to buy something, which could be chalk and inject it into themselves. "Anything which costs less than about £80 to £100 per month is probably fake." Toby warned: "If it seems too good to be true, it probably is." Rat poison, cement and arsenic Kevin Joshua, a weight-loss clinician, explained how the fakes sometimes contain insulin instead of semaglutide - which can lead to "critically low blood sugar, coma, or death". People with diabetes take insulin to top up their natural levels, so that they are able to break down sugar properly. Taking too much insulin or injecting when you don't need it can lead to disorientation, seizures or even death. He added: "Chemical analysis of fake weight loss injections has also identified contaminants like rat poison, arsenic, cement, mercury, bacteria or viruses that may result in sepsis, infection, or organ failure." Dr Tim Mackay, a professor at the University of California, San Diego, who studies counterfeit medications, told us that some criminal enterprises get their hands on "research-grade" drugs, not meant for human consumption, and pass it off as the real thing. Other fakes will contain impure semaglutide, dangerously high doses or other drugs entirely, he said. These counterfeit products frequently enter the market through unauthorised online pharmacies or social media marketplaces that bypass regulation and rules Toby Nicol Jason Murphy, Head of Pharmacy and weight loss injection expert at Chemist4U, said: "It really depends on what's in them. "And that's part of the problem, you just don't know. Some might have no active ingredients at all so they just don't work. "Others might contain the wrong dose or harmful substances that can cause stomach issues, blood pressure problems or worse. "There's also a real risk when it comes to sterility. "If the product hasn't been made in clean conditions, there's a chance it could be contaminated, which can lead to infections or serious health complications. "Because these fake drugs haven't gone through proper safety checks, every dose is a gamble." 'I came so close to death' Big Brother star Aisleyne Horgan-Wallace says she almost died and lost her eyesight after taking fake Ozempic last year. She tells The Sun that last year was "really tough" after she lost two very important people and her way of dealing with the pain was to "eat her feelings" - meaning she piled on almost two stone. When a friend suggested she tried Ozempic, Aisleyne rushed into it without considering the dangers, because she was in "such a bad place". She says: "I got added to a WhatsApp group where girls talk about what they want to have done - lip fillers and things - and someone on there was offering Ozempic. 16 Aisleyne Horgan Wallace says she 'nearly died' after injecting fake fat jabs Credit: Olivia West 16 Texts between Aisleyne and the person who organised her supply, about another friend who fell sick after using the injections Credit: supplied 16 Aisleyne's drugs came in an unbranded syringe Credit: supplied How to spot a fake MOST fakes are not completely identical to the authentic products, and there are some signs you can look out. According to Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of Ozempic and Wegovy, these are the giveaways... Dodgy packaging : Fake jabs will often come in boxes and packaging of inferior quality. The graphics are more likely to look cheap or misaligned. : Fake jabs will often come in boxes and packaging of inferior quality. The graphics are more likely to look cheap or misaligned. Spelling errors : Text on the counterfeits are much more likely to contain spelling mistakes. : Text on the counterfeits are much more likely to contain spelling mistakes. Dose selector: The manufacturer says that some fakes have dose selectors which can be pulled out when dialled to a select dose. The selectors on the genuine product are fixed in place. The manufacturer says that some fakes have dose selectors which can be pulled out when dialled to a select dose. The selectors on the genuine product are fixed in place. Unbranded: Some counterfeits are completely unbranded, like the plain syringe Aisleyne received. The genuine products will always be branded with the company name and logo. However, it's important remember that some counterfeits will not bear any of those signs. The only way to guarantee a genuine product is to "obtain appropriate medicine on prescription through legitimate sources", Novo Nordisk advises. "With the first month's supply I felt fine, even energetic, and I could see that I was losing a bit of weight. "But then I took the second month's - and I came so close to death. I wish I never, ever took the first month's supply or even heard about this drug. "For three days I was in bed, literally comatose. I'd wake up, roll over and vomit into a bag. There were bags of vomit all around me. "I couldn't even walk the two steps to the en-suite toilet, I had to crawl and drag myself. "After a day I didn't need to go to the toilet because I wasn't eating or drinking - I couldn't even sip anything. "On day two, I opened my eyes and I couldn't see anything out of one of my eyes." The TV star to this day does not know what was in the jabs - but insists: "It was a syringe of horrors, that's all I know. The chemicals must have been wrong." 16 Wegovy is the UK version of Ozempic licensed for weight loss in the UK Credit: PA 16 Amy Schumer is one of the many high-profile celebs to admit she has used weight loss drugs 16 Gemma Collins also revealed she has been using fat jabs Credit: Many other women have got in touch with Aisleyne with similar accounts, proving the problem is widespread. Michelle Sword, 47, is another who nearly died after injecting herself with a fake Ozempic jab. She fell into a coma after administering the medicine, which turned out to be insulin. Michele said: "It was a lot harder to get hold of Ozempic, so I didn't go down the conventional way of doing it. "The beauty companies and the online aesthetic companies all seemed to have it." The mum-of-two managed to get hold of some without any medical checks, and was told it could be delivered straight away. But soon after injecting, she collapsed and began suffering seizures - and tests showed her blood sugar levels had plummeted and sent her into a diabetic coma. Michelle said: "I can't believe that I allowed my insecurities to almost kill me." Fat jab crisis In December 2024, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society warned that social media was fuelling such an appetite for weight-loss jabs that the supply simply couldn't keep up. It even likened the situation to the toilet paper shortages during the Covid pandemic. To keep up with demand, some NHS pharmacies could soon be given powers to prescribe the injections - cutting out the need for patients to see the GP. Addressing the unlicensed supply chain, it said: "These unregulated websites often specifically target those medicines that are in shortage. "These illegal sites come with the risk that patients may be accessing medicines that are outside of a rigorous, quality-controlled supply chain and may be unauthorised and/or falsified." Similarly, the National Pharmacy Association warned there could be a possible "explosion in the unlicensed sale of medication online". NPA chairman Nick Kaye said last year: 'Pharmacists remain deeply concerned that the current medicine shortages crisis could lead to an explosion in the unlicensed sale of medication online. 'Stocks of Ozempic are very depleted in community pharmacy in the UK and it is important that these remain prioritised for those in the most clinical need. 'Given the precarious state of supply of this and other vital medication, there is a much greater risk of people looking to order in supplies from disreputable online vendors." 16 Even if the product is branded as Ozempic it can be a fake - like this suspected counterfeit Credit: Reuters 16 The drugs can be injected into the skin of your stomach, thigh or arm Cracking down Novo Nordisk is the pharmaceutical company which manufactures Ozempic and Wegovy. Anne, head of product security, told The Sun that pharma companies are collaborating with each other and law enforcement agencies to counter the rise of counterfeit products. She said: "It's a long run, because we are fighting against organized crime. But I'm confident because now we have governance, we are sharing with other pharma companies and authorities. "The best ways to mitigate against the risks are two things: First is to litigate as much as possible and work with prosecutor in order to disrupt [the supply]. "The second is to continue to develop awareness - because everybody has a responsibility. "If patients are more vigilant, ordering less online, if we are collaborating with authorities, if also authorities are reinforcing regulation to avoid any illicit compounding to enter in the country, I'm quite confident that with this combined effort we may really make a difference, so there is no question mark for us. We are on it." Novo Nordisk urges anyone who believes they have hold of a fake pen to not use it. They are encouraged to report it to the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency - the body tasked with protecting the UK's drug supply. The MHRA said it has been seizing counterfeit Ozempic pens since 2023. Andy Morling, its deputy director of criminal enforcement, told CNBC last year: "We saw that the demand increased and quite often as it happens in these situations, criminals try and fill a gap where the supply and demand aren't balanced for a particular product, and we started seeing real counterfeit versions of the Ozempic product on the market."
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Holiday hotspots report cases of organ destroying virus sparking global outbreak fears in China
Since early 2025, this viral wave has crossed continents, with 250,000 cases and 90 deaths recorded across 16 countries this year SOME favourite holiday destinations for Brits are now hotspots for a crippling mosquito-borne virus, new figures reveal. Chikungunya, which is rarely deadly but capable of wreaking havoc on organs and causing agonising, months-long pain and disability, is exploding worldwide. Advertisement 4 Chikungunya is spread by infected mosquitoes Credit: Getty 4 An outbreak of chikungunya in China has sparked alarm Credit: Getty Just last month The World Health Organisation warned chikungunya could soon affect billions across the globe as it tears through parts of the Indian Ocean and edges closer to Europe. The health watchdog said it was seeing the same warning signs as in the last major outbreak two decades ago, when nearly half a million were infected worldwide. More than 7,000 people have been struck down by the mosquito-borne bug in China alone, marking the country's biggest ever outbreak of the disease, according to experts. Most cases have been reported in the city of Foshan, in the southern province of Guangdong. Advertisement In recent days, cases have cropped up in neighbouring areas and countries, including Hong Kong and Taiwan, according to media reports, this is despite China imposing Covid-like measures to contain the virus. Since early 2025, this viral wave has crossed continents, with 250,000 cases and 90 deaths recorded across 16 countries this year, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). And while the UK remains free of risk for now, parts of France and Italy - both very popular with Brits, are already battling the virus. There have been 12 local transmission episodes in several regions of southern France within the last year - meaning people were infected by mosquitoes in Europe, not while travelling. Advertisement While this sounds concerning, experts have fortunately said it isn't going to be the next pandemic. Professor Will Irving, a virology expert at the University of Nottingham said: "There have been equally large, if not larger outbreaks around the world prior to this one." What is Chikungunya However, he added: "With climate change, the mosquitos are spreading, and there are reports of the mosquito being present in parts of Europe (France, Italy, Spain).' Last year, Europe saw a sharp surge in mosquito-borne diseases - including dengue, West Nile, and malaria - with some infections doubling in just 12 months. Advertisement Chikungunya is primarily spread by the Aedes mosquito (also known as the tiger mosquito) and cannot spread from person to person. But a mosquito can pick up the disease by feeding on an infected individual and then transmit it to new human hosts by biting them. Unlike malaria-carrying mosquitoes, these critters are most active during the day, especially in the early morning and late afternoon. 4 The symptoms can last for months - even years Advertisement 4 Patient with joint deformities of the hands 6 years after confirmed chikungunya virusCredit: SehatHub How to stay safe Several experts have shared precautionary steps those travelling the sunny beaches of Europe can take to prevent infection. Professor Paul Hunter, a professor in medicine at the University of East Anglia, advised travellers to wear loose-fitting clothing that covers your arms and legs. Ideally, he said: "They will be light coloured, so you can see if mosquitos have landed on you." Advertisement In particular, he warned that it is a bad idea for women in late stages of pregnancy to travel to these destinations. "If you get infected with it later on in the pregnancy, it can pose a risk to the baby," he said. Two chikungunya vaccines have recently been approved for use in the UK - although one is under safety review for older people. Those are mostly targeted at travellers and are not widely available in the countries most affected by chikungunya. Advertisement Once someone has recovered from chikungunya, there is evidence to suggest they have lifelong immunity. In 2024, there were 112 confirmed and probable cases of chikungunya, all linked to people returning from popular destinations like India, Pakistan and Brazil. Once mostly confined to Asia, Africa, and South America, the virus is now expanding its reach across Europe and the US, with local outbreaks on the rise. It has surged in places like Madagascar, the Seychelles, Somalia, Kenya, India, and Brazil. Advertisement Meanwhile, the Pacific Islands are also grappling with rising outbreaks in Samoa, Tonga, French Polynesia, Fiji, and Kiribati. The US has recorded 46 cases this year, all in travellers returning from high-risk regions, with no deaths reported so far. Crippling joint pain While chikungunya very rarely causes death, its symptoms are debilitating. They usually begin within a week of being bitten and can include a sudden high fever, fatigue, nausea, reddening of the eyes, sensitivity to light and a rash. Advertisement The virus gets its name from a word in the Kimakonde language spoken in southern Tanzania meaning 'to become contorted,' to the crippling joint pain it causes. The virus triggers an immune response that leads to inflammation in the joints, causing pain, swelling and stiffness similar to rheumatoid arthritis that can persist for weeks, months and sometimes years after the initial infection. Advertisement Those most at risk of severe illness include newborn babies, older adults, and people with underlying conditions such as heart disease or diabetes.
