Uk Cases Of Mosquito-borne Virus More Than Double

There has been a important summation successful nan number of UK cases of a mosquito-borne microorganism that tin origin abrupt fever and associated symptom and is usually only recovered successful Africa and confederate Asia.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) says much than 70 cases of nan chikungunya microorganism were reported successful nan first six months of this year, much than double than successful nan aforesaid play past twelvemonth – each of them linked to travel.

Chikungunya, while seldom fatal, tin time off group experiencing associated symptom for years.

The UKHSA is informing travellers to return precautions against mosquito bites.

In astir cases, group retrieve afloat wrong a mates of weeks, but for some, symptom tin persist for months aliases moreover years.

In very uncommon cases it tin beryllium fatal.

While nan 73 infections seen successful nan UK successful nan first six months of this twelvemonth is not a immense number, it is much than double nan 27 cases complete nan aforesaid play past year.

An outbreak of nan microorganism is nether measurement successful nan Indian Ocean region, and almost each of nan infections were linked to recreation successful India, Sri Lanka and Mauritius.

Chikungunya is dispersed by 2 types of mosquito, neither of which are coming successful nan UK, truthful location is nary consequence connected onward infection.

But Dr Philip Veal, Consultant successful Public Health astatine UKHSA, says it is simply a informing to travellers to make judge they return precautions against mosquito bites.

"Chikungunya tin beryllium a nasty illness and we're seeing a worrying summation successful cases among travellers returning to nan UK.

"It is basal to return precautions against mosquito bites erstwhile travelling.

"Simple steps, specified arsenic utilizing insect repellent, covering up your tegument and sleeping nether insecticide-treated furniture nets tin greatly trim nan risk.

"Before you travel, cheque nan Travel Health Pro Website for nan latest proposal connected your destination.

"A chikungunya vaccine whitethorn besides beryllium considered for those travelling to higher-risk regions."

The aforesaid study besides says nan first ever UK cases of Oropouche virus, usually only recovered successful Central and South America and nan Caribbean, person besides been detected successful travellers returning from Brazil.

This microorganism is predominantly dispersed by midge bites alternatively than mosquitos, pinch nan main type of midge progressive successful transmission not recovered successful Europe aliases nan UK.

Symptoms see precocious fever, chills, headache, associated symptom and musculus aches.

The UKHSA warns of a emergence successful Oropouche microorganism infections globally since 2024, and says pregnant travellers should return peculiar attraction following immoderate concerns astir nan effect nan microorganism tin origin during pregnancy.