Well being authorities have warned of a “worrying increase” in circumstances of a mosquito-borne an infection in folks returning to the UK from overseas.
A complete of 73 circumstances of chikungunya have been reported between January and June 2025 – greater than double the 27 circumstances reported in the identical interval final 12 months, the UK Well being Company (UKHSA) stated.
Information launched by the company additionally revealed three circumstances of oropouche virus, marking the primary time the virus has been reported within the UK.
Right here is every part that you must learn about each viruses, from signs to prevention and what could possibly be behind the surge in circumstances.
What’s chikungunya?
Chikungunya is a illness attributable to a virus of the identical identify. It was first recognized following an outbreak in Tanzania in 1952.
The identify is derived from a phrase within the Tanzanian language Makonde, and means “that which bends up”, owing to the joint ache it may trigger.
It’s unfold by mosquito bites, particularly from yellow fever and tiger mosquitoes, in tropical and subtropical areas.
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File pic: iStock
What are the signs?
Typical signs embrace fever, muscle ache, nausea, fatigue and a rash.
The UKHSA says joint ache can persist for months and even years, with as much as 12% of individuals nonetheless experiencing discomfort three years after an infection.
The bulk of people that develop into contaminated get well inside one to 2 weeks with no need medical consideration.
Severe issues are unusual, and solely very uncommon circumstances are deadly. Infants or aged folks with different underlying diseases are probably the most susceptible.
The 2 mosquitoes recognized to transmit the illness, yellow fever and tiger, aren’t at the moment discovered within the UK.
How does oropouche virus differ?
Oropouche virus is unfold predominantly by midge bites relatively than mosquito bites.
Whereas bites from each bugs could cause crimson itchy lumps on the pores and skin, mosquito bites are usually bigger and extra painful, whereas midge bites are smaller and should last more.
Signs might be just like chikungunya, and embrace joint paint, headache, chills, nausea and excessive fever.
The UKHSA says anybody who turns into unwell with these signs after travelling ought to search “urgent medical advice”.
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A midge bit could cause oropouche virus. Pic: iStock
The place are you able to catch the viruses?
Common outbreaks of chikungunya happen in Africa, Asia and the Americas, with occasional smaller cases in Europe.
The UKHSA stated the vast majority of the 73 reported circumstances from the primary six months of this 12 months reported travelling to Sri Lanka, India and Mauritius. The circumstances have been linked to native outbreaks within the Indian Ocean area.
As of final month, there have been about 240,000 circumstances of chikungunya – and 90 deaths – in 16 nations, based on the European Centres for Illness Prevention and Management (ECDC).
In the meantime, all of the UK circumstances of oropouche virus have been related to journey to Brazil.
Final 12 months, 44 circumstances have been reported in a number of European nations together with Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Austria, Sweden and the Netherlands, based on the ECDC.
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A employee sprays insecticide following an outbreak of chikungunya in China. Pic: Reuters
China is at the moment experiencing the largest chikungunya outbreak ever documented within the nation, based on Cesar Lopez-Camacho of the College of Oxford.
Greater than 7,000 circumstances have been reported since June, with 90% of these concentrated in Guangdong province, which borders Hong Kong.
How one can put together earlier than travelling
Dr Philip Veal, a guide in public well being at UKHSA stated it’s “essential” for folks to take precautions towards 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 stated.
Checking the most recent well being recommendation in your vacation spot earlier than you journey can also be advisable.
The LSHTM added that individuals can do the next to scale back publicity to mosquito and midge bites:• Match screens to home windows and doorways;• Keep away from peak exercise throughout nightfall and daybreak;• Do away with any standing water the place mosquitoes breed.
There are additionally two vaccines for chikungunya accepted to be used within the UK: IXCHIQ, for folks aged 18 to 59 and Vimkunya, for people 12 years and older.
Each are available for purchase privately from journey clinics after an evaluation by a healthcare skilled.
What’s behind the rise in circumstances?
The variety of outbreaks of chikungunya has elevated since 2000, Robert Jones, an assistant professor on the London College of Hygiene and Tropical Medication (LSHTM) stated.
Mr Jones put this growth partly all the way down to local weather change and concrete growth.
Dr Yang Liu, one other professor at LSHTM, stated the outbreak in China is just not completely surprising, however highlights the manifestation of a recognized danger, as yellow fever and tiger mosquitoes have been current within the space for a few years.
