Travellers are being urged to take precautions against mosquito bites following a rise in chikungunya infections among people returning to the UK.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) confirmed that the first cases of the emerging Oropouche virus have also been recorded in Britain.
Chikungunya is known for causing sudden onset fever and severe joint pain, which can be debilitating and last from a few days to several weeks.
The name “chikungunya” originates from a Tanzanian language, meaning “that which bends up,” reflecting the characteristic joint pain caused by the virus.
While most patients recover fully, some can experience lingering symptoms for months or even years.
The infection is transmitted by mosquito bites in tropical and subtropical regions. Most of the 73 cases reported in the UK this year occurred in London and were linked to travel to Sri Lanka, India, and Mauritius.
In the same period last year, only 27 cases of chikungunya were reported, highlighting a significant increase.
Chikungunya cannot be spread directly from person to person, meaning those infected in the UK cannot transmit it locally. The mosquitos that carry the virus are not present in Britain.
Dr Philip Veal, consultant in public health at UKHSA, described chikungunya as a “nasty disease” and said the rise in cases was “concerning.”
He emphasised that travellers must take measures to protect themselves against mosquito bites while abroad.
Simple precautions include using insect repellent, covering exposed skin, and sleeping under insecticide-treated bed nets, all of which can greatly reduce the risk of infection.
Although chikungunya is most common in Asia and Africa, cases have been reported in Europe and North America this year, underlining its international reach.
Two vaccines to prevent chikungunya are available in the UK through private travel clinics, offering additional protection for high-risk travellers.
UKHSA confirmed that the first cases of Oropouche virus have now been identified in the country.
The virus is transmitted through bites from midges and mosquitoes, with all three UK cases linked to recent travel to Brazil.
Oropouche virus was first identified in Trinidad and Tobago during the 1950s and was primarily confined to the Amazon basin for decades.
Since 2023, the virus has spread to new regions, including the Dominican Republic, Cuba, and Peru, raising public health concerns.
Symptoms of Oropouche virus include fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, nausea, and vomiting, which can resemble other tropical illnesses.
Anyone experiencing these symptoms after visiting Central or South America or the Caribbean is advised to seek urgent medical attention.
While most people recover without long-term effects, Oropouche virus can cause severe illness in older adults or those with weakened immune systems.
