Latest news with #oropouche
The Sun
3 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
Warning as deadly ‘suitcase viruses' that destroy organs and trigger brain swelling spread across the UK and Europe
DEADLY viruses could be making their way to the UK on planes and in holidaymakers' suitcases, experts warn. They say international travel is fuelling a "concerning" rise in both chikungunya and oropouche, and the worst could be yet to come. 18 18 18 Simon Clarke, professor of cellular microbiology at the University of Reading, told The Sun: "As Brits develop more exotic tastes for travel to warmer places closer to the equator, we are increasingly likely to see unusual infections upon their return. "While oropouche is mainly found in the Amazon and chikungunya in sub-tropical regions, they are spreading. "Both have been detected in the United States and Europe, where sporadic outbreaks in France and Italy have occurred." Paul Hunter, a professor of medicine at the University of East Anglia, added: "There is a small risk of airport associated infections whereby infected mosquitoes arrive in the UK on board airplanes and then escape. "The spread of any infection into a previously unexposed population is always a matter for concern." Chikungunya is a virus spread by mosquito bites, the symptoms of which include a sudden fever and joint pain. Most people recover within two weeks, but the joint pain can last for months or even years, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). In some cases, it is so bad it causes sufferers to "fold in half" or "become contorted" as they double over in agony. Serious complications are not common, but in rare cases the disease can cause organ damage and be fatal, particularly in very young or older people, or those with underlying health conditions. The latest report from the UKHSA shows there were 73 cases of chikungunya reported in England, primarily in London, between January and June 2025 - the highest number ever recorded. This compares to 27 cases for the same period last year. The majority were linked to travel to Sri Lanka, India and Mauritius. 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. But experts fear cases could continue to rise with global travel and rising temperatures. Prof Clarke said: "Chikungunya is spread by mosquitoes, one of which, the tiger mosquito, has been detected in the South East of England. "It's worth emphasising the negative impact that global warming may have on a resilience to infections like this, which we've always taken for granted in the UK. "A warmer climate may mean that we have to take greater precautions at home against infections spread by insects." 18 Prof Hunter added: "We have seen local outbreaks of both dengue and chikungunya multiple times on the Mediterranean coasts of France, Italy and Spain over the past decade, and such events seem to be becoming more frequent. "Chikungunya outbreaks are less common than dengue, but when we do see them, they tend to be big, at least in Italy. "Both chikungunya and oropouche can occasionally be fatal. And the fact that locally-acquired infections are being reported from multiple locations this year is concerning. "There will be several more weeks before the mosquito season starts to tail off [so it could get worse]. "We will almost certainly see more cases in the UK, but at least for a few decades, these are all likely to have been acquired overseas." Chikungunya can be a nasty disease and we're seeing a worrying increase in cases among travellers returning to the UK Dr Philip VealUKHSA Chikungunya mainly occurs in Africa and southern Asia, although cases have been reported in Europe and parts of North America. This year, there have been outbreaks in the Americas and Asia, with surges on the Indian Ocean islands of Reunion, Mayotte and Mauritius. More than 10,000 people have also been struck down in China since June 2025. The majority of cases have been reported in Foshan, a city in the southern Guangdong province, where officials have since rolled out Covid-style lockdowns and been spraying insecticides in a desperate bid to stop the virus from spiralling out of control. At least 12 other cities in the southern Guangdong province have also reported infections, as well as Hong Kong and Taiwan. Since early 2025, there have been 240,000 cases and 90 deaths reported in 16 countries, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). 18 18 18 18 Two chikungunya vaccines are approved for use in the UK and are available to buy after an assessment at a private travel clinic. Travellers can stay safe by using insect repellent and covering their skin, especially at dawn and dusk. 'ESSENTIAL' PRECAUTIONS 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." 18 The UKHSA has also detected the first cases of oropouche in travellers coming to the UK from Brazil. The flu-like illness can cause a fever, headaches, joint pain, muscle pain, chills, nausea and vomiting. In serious cases, it can cause brain-swelling, specifically in the form of encephalitis and meningitis. Officials are urging anyone who becomes unwell 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 was mostly reported near the Amazon rainforest area. It was dubbed 'sloth fever' as it circulates between primates, sloths and birds before occasionally being passed to humans by midges and mosquitoes. In 2024, Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Cuba, Guyana, Peru and the Dominican Republic reported locally transmitted cases of the disease. Travel-related cases are now cropping up across Europe. Francois Balloux, professor of computational systems biology and director of the UCL Genetics Institute, specialising in infectious diseases, said: "There seems to have been a marked increase of both chikungunya and oropouche cases in the parts of the world where they're endemic. "It is obviously a problem as both are unpleasant viruses. "Neither could circulate in the UK as their vectors are absent, but travellers are being infected overseas and returning home. "The number of cases in the UK could go up or down in the future." 18 18 18 18 The first imported cases of oropouche were reported in Europe in June and July 2024. There were 12 in Spain, five in Italy and two in Germany. All had a history of travel to Cuba or Brazil. Direct human-to-human transmission of the virus has not been documented so far, according to the ECDC. The prognosis for recovery is good and "fatal outcomes are extremely rare". There are no vaccines to prevent or specific medication to treat oropouche. 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 per cent 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. Oropouche virus: Everything you need to know Oropouche is a disease caused by Oropouche virus. It is spread through the bites of infected midges (small flies) and mosquitoes. Symptoms ARE similar to dengue and include: a headache, fever, muscle aches, stiff joints, nausea, vomiting, chills, or sensitivity to light. Severe cases may result in brain diseases such as meningitis. Symptoms typically start four to eight days after being bitten and last three to six days. Most people recover without long-term effects. There are no specific medications or vaccines available. Travellers heading to affected areas should take steps to avoid bug bites. The virus is endemic in many South American countries, in both rural and urban communities. Outbreaks are periodically reported in Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Panama, Peru, and Trinidad and Tobago. Wear tops with long sleeves and long trousers, apply insect repellent regularly, and sleep under a mosquito net if you are not in enclosed, air-conditioned accommodation. Source: US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention 18 18 18 18
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Causes, symptoms and how to prevent chikungunya - as cases rise in the UK
Health authorities have warned of a "worrying increase" in cases of a mosquito-borne infection in people returning to the UK from abroad. of chikungunya were reported between January and June 2025 - more than double the 27 cases reported in the same period last year, the UK Health Agency (UKHSA) said. Data released by the agency also revealed three cases of oropouche virus, marking the first time the virus has been reported in the UK. Here is everything you need to know about both viruses, from symptoms to prevention and what could be behind the surge in cases. What is chikungunya? Chikungunya is a disease caused by a virus of the same name. It was first identified following an outbreak in Tanzania in 1952. The name is derived from a word in the Tanzanian language Makonde, and means "that which bends up", owing to the joint pain it can cause. It is spread by mosquito bites, specifically from yellow fever and tiger mosquitoes, in tropical and subtropical regions. What are the symptoms? Typical symptoms include fever, muscle pain, nausea, fatigue and a rash. The UKHSA says joint pain can persist for months or even years, with up to 12% of people still experiencing discomfort three years after infection. The majority of people who become infected recover within one to two weeks without needing medical attention. Serious complications are uncommon, and only very rare cases are fatal. Babies or elderly people with other underlying illnesses are the most vulnerable. The two mosquitoes known to transmit the disease, yellow fever and tiger, are not currently found in the UK. How does oropouche virus differ? Oropouche virus is spread predominantly by midge bites rather than mosquito bites. While bites from both insects can cause red itchy lumps on the skin, mosquito bites are generally larger and more painful, while midge bites are smaller and may last longer. Symptoms can be similar to chikungunya, and include joint paint, headache, chills, nausea and high fever. The UKHSA says anyone who becomes unwell with these symptoms after travelling should seek "urgent medical advice". Where can you catch the viruses? Regular outbreaks of chikungunya occur in Africa, Asia and the Americas, with occasional smaller instances in Europe. The UKHSA said the majority of the 73 reported cases from the first six months of this year reported travelling to Sri Lanka, India and Mauritius. The cases were linked to local outbreaks in the Indian Ocean region. As of last month, there have been about 240,000 cases of chikungunya - and 90 deaths - in 16 countries, according to the European Centres for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). Meanwhile, all the UK cases of oropouche virus were associated with travel to Brazil. Last year, 44 cases were reported in several European countries including Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Austria, Sweden and the Netherlands, according to the ECDC. China is currently experiencing the ever documented in the country, according to Cesar Lopez-Camacho of the University of Oxford. More than 7,000 cases have been reported since June, with 90% of those concentrated in Guangdong province, which borders Hong Kong. How to prepare before travelling Dr Philip Veal, a consultant in public health at UKHSA said it is "essential" for people 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," he said. Checking the latest health advice on your destination before you travel is also recommended. The LSHTM added that people can do the following to reduce exposure to mosquito and midge bites:• Fit screens to windows and doors;• Avoid peak activity during dusk and dawn;• Get rid of any standing water where mosquitoes breed. There are also two vaccines for chikungunya approved for use in the UK: IXCHIQ, for people aged 18 to 59 and Vimkunya, for individuals 12 years and older. Both are available to buy privately from travel clinics after an assessment by a healthcare professional. Read more from Sky News: What's behind the increase in cases? The number of outbreaks of chikungunya has increased since 2000, Robert Jones, an assistant professor at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) said. Mr Jones put this boom partly down to climate change and urban expansion. Dr Yang Liu, another professor at LSHTM, said the outbreak in China is not totally unexpected, but highlights the manifestation of a known risk, as yellow fever and tiger mosquitoes have been present in the area for many years.
