Warning issued to holidaymakers over surging tropical illnesses

Holidaymakers are being urged to take precautions against mosquito bites after health officials reported a significant increase in travel-related infections, particularly the chikungunya virus.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) revealed a 43 per cent surge in chikungunya cases in 2025, with 160 infections recorded across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, up from 112 the previous year.

The majority of these cases were linked to travel in Sri Lanka, India, and Bangladesh.

Officials also sounded the alarm about "consistently high" levels of malaria, another serious illness transmitted by infected mosquitoes.

However, the same report noted a significant fall in the number of dengue cases.

The UKHSA’s latest report on travel-associated infections underscores the critical need for travellers to protect themselves from mosquito bites to mitigate the risk of contracting these diseases.

The infection causes fever and severe joint pain, joint swelling, muscle pain, headache, nausea, fatigue and rash.

The number of dengue cases decreased to 344, down from 904 in 2024.

Separate provisional figures on imported malaria cases in the UK show there were 1,629 cases in 2025.

While this is down from 1,812 reported in 2024, officials said that imported malaria cases “consistently remain at high levels in the UK”.

Malaria is a life-threatening infection spread by mosquitoes found in some parts of the world.

Symptoms can include fever, chills, headache fatigue, confusion, seizures and difficulty breathing.

Dr Philip Veal, consultant in public health at UKHSA, said: “For some people chikungunya can be a prolonged and nasty disease and we continue to see cases in travellers returning to the UK, particularly from parts of Asia and the Indian Ocean region.

“While this mosquito-borne infection is rarely fatal, it can cause severe joint and muscle pain, headaches, sensitivity to light and skin rashes.

“Thankfully, symptoms usually improve within a few weeks, but joint pain may last for months or longer.

“So it is essential to take precautions against mosquito bites when travelling.”

Dr Dipti Patel, director of the National Travel Health Network and Centre, said: “If you’re travelling over Easter or spring, it’s important that you prepare before you travel, and take precautions against mosquito bites.

“Simple steps such as using a Deet-based insect repellent, covering up your skin and sleeping under insecticide-treated bed nets can greatly reduce the risk.

“Before you travel, check the Travel Health Pro website for the latest advice on your destination.

“If chikungunya is a risk at your destination, you may wish to discuss the suitability of chikungunya vaccination with a travel health clinic.”