Latest news with #PhilipVeal
Scotsman
4 days ago
- Health
- Scotsman
Chikungunya virus symptoms after mosquito bite warning issued
Travellers are being urged to be vigilant 🦟 Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... There has been an increase in the number of travel-related cases of the chikungunya virus. The latest data reveals a total of 73 cases were reported between January and June 2025. The UK Health and Security Agency (UKHSA) is warning travellers to be vigilant. Holidaymakers are being urged to protect themselves from mosquitoes after a surge in cases of the chikungunya virus. The latest data from the UKHSA revealed a total of 73 cases were reported between January and June 2025. The same period last year saw only 27 cases, with 2025 having the highest number of cases recorded to date. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne infection related to overseas travel. The majority of cases reported travelling to Sri Lanka, India or Mauritius, where there are ongoing local outbreaks. All cases were reported in England, with the majority in London. However, there is no risk of onward transmission of chikungunya in the UK, as the mosquitoes that transmit the disease cannot thrive here. There has been an increase in the number of travel-related cases of the chikungunya virus. | MARTIN LELIEVRE/AFP via Getty Images Speaking about the risks, Dr Philip Veal, Consultant in Public Health at UKHSA, said: 'Chikungunya can be a nasty disease and we're seeing a worrying increase in cases among travellers returning to the UK. 'While this mosquito-borne infection is rarely fatal, it can cause severe joint and muscle pain, headaches, sensitivity to light and skin rashes. Thankfully, symptoms usually improve within a few weeks, but joint pain may last for months or longer. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'It is essential to take precautions against mosquito bites when travelling. Simple steps, such as using insect repellent, covering up your skin and sleeping under insecticide-treated bed nets, can greatly reduce the risk. 'Before you travel, check the Travel Health Pro Website for the latest advice on your destination. A chikungunya vaccine may also be considered for those travelling to higher-risk regions.' What is the chikungunya virus? The Chikungunya virus is a mosquito-borne infection transferred to humans when they are bitten. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Found in more than 100 countries in Africa, Asia, North America, South America, Central America, the Caribbean, and Pacific islands, it is not common in Europe, but has been found in Italy and France, with cases in the UK related to overseas travel. What are the symptoms of chikungunya virus? Symptoms of the chikungunya virus include a sudden fever, usually accompanied by joint pain. While most people recover fully within one to two weeks, the joint pain can persist for months or even years. Up to 12% of patients experience discomfort three years after infection. Serious complications are uncommon, but in rare cases, it can be fatal. Can you get a vaccine for the chikungunya virus? If you will be travelling to a destination where there is a risk of the chikungunya virus, there are two vaccines that have recently been approved for use in the UK. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad IXCHIQ® is available for individuals aged 18 to 59 years old and Vimkunya® is available for individuals 12 years and older. Both vaccines are available privately at travel clinics after assessment from a medical professional. You can find out more information about the chikungunya virus at NHS Fit For Travel.
Scotsman
5 days ago
- Health
- Scotsman
Chikungunya virus symptoms after mosquito bite warning issued
Travellers are being urged to be vigilant 🦟 Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... There has been an increase in the number of travel-related cases of the chikungunya virus. The latest data reveals a total of 73 cases were reported between January and June 2025. The UK Health and Security Agency (UKHSA) is warning travellers to be vigilant. Holidaymakers are being urged to protect themselves from mosquitoes after a surge in cases of the chikungunya virus. The latest data from the UKHSA revealed a total of 73 cases were reported between January and June 2025. The same period last year saw only 27 cases, with 2025 having the highest number of cases recorded to date. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne infection related to overseas travel. The majority of cases reported travelling to Sri Lanka, India or Mauritius, where there are ongoing local outbreaks. All cases were reported in England, with the majority in London. However, there is no risk of onward transmission of chikungunya in the UK, as the mosquitoes that transmit the disease cannot thrive here. There has been an increase in the number of travel-related cases of the chikungunya virus. | MARTIN LELIEVRE/AFP via Getty Images Speaking about the risks, Dr Philip Veal, Consultant in Public Health at UKHSA, said: 'Chikungunya can be a nasty disease and we're seeing a worrying increase in cases among travellers returning to the UK. 'While this mosquito-borne infection is rarely fatal, it can cause severe joint and muscle pain, headaches, sensitivity to light and skin rashes. Thankfully, symptoms usually improve within a few weeks, but joint pain may last for months or longer. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'It is essential to take precautions against mosquito bites when travelling. Simple steps, such as using insect repellent, covering up your skin and sleeping under insecticide-treated bed nets, can greatly reduce the risk. 'Before you travel, check the Travel Health Pro Website for the latest advice on your destination. A chikungunya vaccine may also be considered for those travelling to higher-risk regions.' What is the chikungunya virus? The Chikungunya virus is a mosquito-borne infection transferred to humans when they are bitten. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Found in more than 100 countries in Africa, Asia, North America, South America, Central America, the Caribbean, and Pacific islands, it is not common in Europe, but has been found in Italy and France, with cases in the UK related to overseas travel. What are the symptoms of chikungunya virus? Symptoms of the chikungunya virus include a sudden fever, usually accompanied by joint pain. While most people recover fully within one to two weeks, the joint pain can persist for months or even years. Up to 12% of patients experience discomfort three years after infection. Serious complications are uncommon, but in rare cases, it can be fatal. Can you get a vaccine for the chikungunya virus? If you will be travelling to a destination where there is a risk of the chikungunya virus, there are two vaccines that have recently been approved for use in the UK. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad IXCHIQ® is available for individuals aged 18 to 59 years old and Vimkunya® is available for individuals 12 years and older. Both vaccines are available privately at travel clinics after assessment from a medical professional.
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Huge rise in Brits catching deadly organ-destroying virus on holiday
Chikungunya cases are at a record high in England after tripling in just a year with the majority reported travelling from Sri Lanka, India and Mauritius Cases of a deadly virus caught by Brits while abroad have tripled in the last year hitting record levels, government data shows. The latest UK Health Security Agency figures show an increase in travel-associated chikungunya cases in England. A total of 73 cases were reported between January and June 2025. The same period in 2024 saw just 27 cases. This is the highest number of cases ever recorded in England. The report which covers cases in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, reveals that there were also three cases of Oropouche virus in travellers arriving back in the UK. It was the first time Oropouche has been recorded here and all cases were associated with travel from Brazil. It comes after a pilot says he's found the location of Amelia Earhart's aircraft using Google Earth. Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne infection related to overseas travel, with symptoms including a sudden onset of fever usually accompanied by joint pain. Most people recover fully within two weeks, but joint pain can persist for months or even years. Up to 12% of patients still experiencing discomfort three years later. Serious complications are uncommon, but the disease can be fatal in very rare cases, especially if caught by the very young, old or those with other underlying illnesses. Of the 73 chikungunya cases, the majority reported travel to Sri Lanka, India and Mauritius, linked with ongoing local outbreaks in countries in the Indian Ocean region. All cases were reported in England, with the majority in London. There are only two species of mosquito that transmit the disease and they are not established in the UK. This is because our climate is generally not suitable for their survival and breeding. There is currently no risk of onward transmission of chikungunya in the UK, the UKHSA says. There are two vaccines recently been approved for use in the UK based on The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation(JCVI), to protect against chikungunya. Dr Philip Veal, Consultant in Public Health at UKHSA, said: "Chikungunya can be a nasty disease and we're seeing a worrying increase in cases among travellers returning to the UK. While this mosquito-borne infection is rarely fatal, it can cause severe joint and muscle pain, headaches, sensitivity to light and skin rashes. "Thankfully symptoms usually improve within a few weeks, but joint pain may last for months or longer. It is essential to take precautions against mosquito bites when travelling. Simple steps, such as using insect repellent, covering up your skin and sleeping under insecticide-treated bed nets can greatly reduce the risk. "Before you travel, check the Travel Health Pro Website for the latest advice on your destination. A chikungunya vaccine may also be considered for those travelling to higher-risk regions." Oropouche virus is spread predominantly by midge bites rather than mosquito bites. The primary type of midge responsible for the outbreak in the Americas is not seen in the UK and Europe. If a person becomes unwell with symptoms such as high fever, chills, headache, joint pain and muscle aches following travel to affected areas, they should seek urgent medical advice. There has been a rise in Oropouche virus infections globally since 2024, especially in multiple countries in South America, Central America and the Caribbean, with Brazil reporting the largest outbreaks. Due to the increase in cases, and some recent concerns regarding Oropouche virus infection during pregnancy, pregnant travellers should take particular care. The report also noted a significant increase in travel-associated cholera cases in the UK, with eight cases (compared to just one case in 2024) – most cases reported travel history to India and Ethiopia – with all Ethiopia-linked cases associated with an outbreak there. There were 161 dengue cases reported in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, a 67% decrease compared to the same period in 2024, which saw 490 cases Zika virus disease cases also decreased to four cases in the first half of 2025, down from 9 cases in 2024.
UPI
5 days ago
- Health
- UPI
Travel-related chikungunya cases in England climb nearly three-fold
Aug. 14 (UPI) -- The number of travel-related cases of chikungunya, a mosquito-borne viral infection, has nearly tripled in England during the first six months of the year compared to the same period last year, British health officials said Thursday. According to the latest data from the UK Health Security Agency, there have been 73 cases of the virus reported in England between January and June. During the same period in 2024, there were only 27 cases. The health agency said the 73 cases is the highest number recorded in this period to date. The majority of the infected patients had reported traveling to Sri Lanka, India and Mauritius, where there were infections associated with outbreaks in Indian Ocean countries, it said. Chikungunya is transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes. Severe symptoms and death associated with the virus are rare, but can occur in babies and the elderly, especially those with serious health problems, according to the World Health Organization. Despite its lack of fatality, the disease can still cause fever and joint pain, which the World Health Organization says can be debilitating and prolonged. Other symptoms include joint swelling, muscle pain, headache, nausea, fatigue and rash. Two vaccines have been approved for use in several countries, including Britain. "Chikungunya can be a nasty disease and we're seeing a worrying increase in cases among travelers returning to the UK," Dr. Philip Veal, consultant in Public Health at UKHSA, said in a statement. "While this mosquito-borne infection is rarely fatal, it can causes severe joint and muscle pain, headaches, sensitivity to light and skin rashes. Thankfully, symptoms usually improve within a few weeks, but joint pain may last for months or longer." According to the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control, as of July, there have been 240,000 cases of the virus so far this year and 90 deaths in 16 countries. France has tested positive for 30 cases and Italy for one. However, France's Reunion Island -- located in the Indian Ocean, to the east of Madagascar -- is battling an epidemic of the virus. The Pacific Community, the principal scientific and technical organization supporting development in the Pacific region, said in a statement that the small island has confirmed 54,410 cases of the virus, including 28 deaths, so far this year. "Health authorities are urging heightened vigilance for travelers to La Reunion," SPC said, "visitors are advised to take preventive measures against mosquito bites, including the use of insect repellent, wearing long-sleeved clothing and staying in accommodations with screened windows or air conditioning." Earlier this month, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a travel warning for Americans thinking of visiting southern China over an outbreak of chikungunya there. The CDC states there are outbreaks in Bolivia, China's Guangdong Province, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mayotte, Somalia and Sri Lanka.
Wales Online
5 days ago
- Health
- Wales Online
Urgent alert after 'worrying' rise in virus causing 'pain for years'
Urgent alert after 'worrying' rise in virus causing 'pain for years' The UKHSA has also detected the first cases of another disease Chikungunya is a virus spread by mosquito bites (Image: Alamy/PA) Health officials have urged people to take precautions against mosquito bites while on holiday amid a rise in cases of chikungunya among travellers returning from abroad. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has also detected the first cases of the emerging disease oropouche virus in the UK, all of which were linked to travel from Brazil. Chikungunya is a virus spread by mosquito bites, the symptoms of which include a sudden fever and joint pain. According to UKHSA, most people recover within two weeks, although the joint pain can last for months or even years in some cases. Serious complications are not common, but in rare cases the disease can be fatal, particularly in very young or older people, or those with underlying health conditions. The latest travel-associated infections report from UKHSA shows there were 73 cases of chikungunya reported between January and June 2025, compared to 27 cases for the same period last year. The majority were linked to travel to Sri Lanka, India and Mauritius. All cases were reported in England, primarily in London. There is currently no risk of onward transmission of chikungunya, as the two species of mosquito that transmit the disease are not established in the UK, UKHSA said. The illness mainly occurs in Africa and Asia, specifically southern Asia, although cases have been reported in Europe and parts of North America. However, this year there have been outbreaks in the Americas and Asia, with surges in China and the Indian Ocean islands of Reunion, Mayotte and Mauritius. Steps to prevent 'nasty disease' Dr Philip Veal, consultant in public health at UKHSA, said: 'Chikungunya can be a nasty disease and we're seeing a worrying increase in cases among travellers returning to the UK. While this mosquito-borne infection is rarely fatal, it can cause severe joint and muscle pain, headaches, sensitivity to light and skin rashes. Thankfully symptoms usually improve within a few weeks, but joint pain may last for months or longer. Article continues below 'It is essential to take precautions against mosquito bites when travelling. Simple steps, such as using insect repellent, covering up your skin and sleeping under insecticide-treated bed nets can greatly reduce the risk.' Two chikungunya vaccines are approved for use in the UK and are available to buy after an assessment at a private travel clinic. It can bring on sudden fever (Image: Getty) Oropouche detected in UK Meanwhile, the first UK cases of oropouche virus, which is spread by midge bites, have been detected by UKHSA. The three cases were all associated with travel to Brazil. The flu-like illness can cause a fever, headaches, joint pain, muscle pain, chills, nausea and vomiting. Officials urged anyone who becomes unwell with these symptoms after travel to affected areas, including parts of Central and South America and the Caribbean, to seek urgent medical advice. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), before late 2023, oropouche virus was mostly reported near the Amazon rainforest area. However, in 2024, Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Cuba, Guyana, Peru and the Dominican Republic reported locally transmitted cases of the disease. Article continues below The UKHSA report also shows a rise in travel-associated cholera cases in the UK, with eight cases in the first half of the year compared to just one in 2024. Most cases were linked with travel to India and Ethiopia. There was also a 67% decrease in the number of dengue cases reported in England, Wales and Northern Ireland from January to June, and there were just four cases of zika virus during the period, down from nine in 2024.
