Holidaymakers Alerted to Mosquito-Borne Virus Risk

A specific type of mosquito is responsible for spreading the chikungunya virus, which has seen a significant increase in the UK.

As people prepare for Easter travel, health officials are warning them to take necessary precautions against mosquito bites due to a rise in a tropical virus in Britain.

According to the UK Health Security Agency, there was a 43% increase in chikungunya virus cases last year, the highest since 2014, with the infection causing severe joint pain and high fever that can last for months.

The majority of cases are contracted abroad between April and September, emphasizing the need for protection against insects during travel, while malaria cases in the UK dropped slightly but remain high.

At first, mosquito bites may seem harmless, but they can transmit serious diseases like chikungunya.

A public health consultant at the UKHSA highlighted the severity of chikungunya, which can cause prolonged and debilitating joint pain, and emphasized the importance of taking precautions when traveling, especially to areas like Asia and the Indian Ocean.

While chikungunya is rarely fatal, its symptoms can include severe headaches, skin rashes, and sensitivity to light, with joint pain potentially lasting for months, making it crucial to prevent mosquito bites when traveling.

The latest travel-associated infections report revealed 160 chikungunya cases in 2025, primarily linked to travel to India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, with two vaccines recently approved for use in the UK.

Separate data from the UKHSA showed that despite a decrease in malaria diagnoses, imported cases remain high, with most instances reported during the late spring and summer travel months.

Malaria, a potentially fatal disease, can be almost entirely prevented with the correct use of antimalarial tablets and other prevention measures, emphasizing the need for travelers to follow destination-specific advice.

Health experts recommend using DEET-based insect repellents as part of a comprehensive approach to preventing mosquito-borne diseases.

A director at the National Travel Health Network and Centre advised travelers to prepare before their trip and take simple steps like using insect repellents, covering skin, and sleeping under treated bed nets to reduce the risk of mosquito bites.

Travelers can check the Travel Health Pro website for the latest destination-specific advice and consider discussing chikungunya vaccination with a travel health clinic if necessary.

Although the mosquitoes that spread chikungunya can occasionally be found in the UK, the conditions are not suitable for them to breed, eliminating the risk of onward transmission within the country.

Travelers are advised to seek personalized advice from their general practice, pharmacist, or travel clinic four to six weeks before traveling to ensure they are adequately prepared.

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