LONDON – The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) on Thursday warned of a significant rise in travel-associated Chikungunya cases, with infections among travelers returning to England up 170.37% compared to last year. Data showed 73 cases in the first half of 2025, up from 27 in the same period of 2024. The majority of cases were linked to travel to Sri Lanka, India, and Mauritius, where local outbreaks are ongoing. All cases were reported in England, most of them in London.
The agency also confirmed the UK’s first-ever cases of the Oropouche virus, detected in three travelers returning from Brazil. Chikungunya, a mosquito-borne disease, typically causes a sudden onset of fever and joint pain. While most patients recover within one to two weeks, joint pain can persist for months or even years. UKHSA stressed that the surge reflects increased exposure to mosquito-borne viruses during overseas travel.
Philip Veal, a public health consultant at UKHSA, urged travelers to take precautions against mosquito bites, emphasizing the use of insect repellent, protective clothing, and insecticide-treated bed nets. “Chikungunya can be a nasty disease, and we’re seeing a worrying increase in cases among travellers returning to the UK,” Veal said, warning that preventive measures are key to reducing infection risks.
