Chikungunya alert: UK cases reach 10 year high as travellers urged to protect themselves

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Source: BMJ

Original: http://www.bmj.com/content/392/bmj.s601.short?rss=1...

Published: 2026-03-27T03:11:13-07:00

In 2025, the highest number of chikungunya virus cases in the last 10 years was recorded in England, namely 160 cases. This is a 43% increase compared to 2024, when 112 cases were reported. Most infections were recorded between April and September. The most common source of infection was Sri Lanka, India and Bangladesh. The UKHSA emphasizes the importance of mosquito protection when traveling to the subtropical regions of the Americas, Africa and South East Asia. The chikungunya virus is transmitted by the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito. The main symptoms include fever and joint pain.