Health officials in the UK have issued a warning about a sharp increase in Chikungunya cases, with travel-related infections expected to rise by 43% in 2025.
According to the UK Health Security Agency, the number of cases in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland increased to 160 in 2025 from 112 the year before, the highest level ever. Travelers returning from nations like Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka reported the majority of infections.
Severe joint pain, fever, headaches, muscle soreness, and skin rashes can be caused by the mosquito-borne virus, which is transmitted by infected Aedes species. Some people experience chronic joint pain that lasts months or even years, but the majority recover in a matter of weeks.
Dr Philip Veal of the UKHSA said: “For some people chikungunya can be a prolonged and nasty disease… While this mosquito-borne infection is rarely fatal, it can cause severe joint and muscle pain, headaches, sensitivity to light and skin rashes.”
Health experts are urging travellers to take precautions, especially during holiday periods such as Easter.
Dr Dipti Patel of the National Travel Health Network and Centre outlined key protective steps: “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.”
Officials also advised checking travel health guidance before trips and consulting clinics about potential vaccinations where appropriate. The warning comes as the virus spreads to new regions, including parts of southern Europe such as France and Italy, driven by rising temperatures and increased travel.
Meanwhile, health authorities noted that Malaria cases remain consistently high in the UK, with 1,629 imported infections recorded in 2025, although slightly down from the previous year.
At the same time, cases of Dengue have declined significantly.
Researchers warn that warming climates are allowing mosquito species such as Aedes albopictus, also known as the tiger mosquito, to expand across Europe