Chikungunya cases in the UK have jumped sharply, with infections linked to international travel increasing by 43 percent in 2025. Health authorities report the rise as a significant concern, particularly for travellers returning from South Asia.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) recorded 160 cases across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland in 2025, up from 112 the previous year. This marks the highest number ever reported in the country. Most infections were traced to travel in countries such as Sri Lanka, India, and Bangladesh, highlighting the continued risk posed by global mobility.
Chikungunya is transmitted by infected Aedes mosquitoes, including the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus species. The virus can cause intense joint pain, fever, headaches, muscle aches, and skin rashes. While the majority of patients recover within a few weeks, some experience chronic joint pain that persists for months or even years.
Dr Philip Veal, an epidemiologist with the UKHSA, emphasized the lasting impact for some patients. “For certain individuals, chikungunya can be a prolonged and painful disease. While rarely fatal, it can cause severe joint and muscle pain, headaches, sensitivity to light, and noticeable skin rashes,” he said.
Experts stress that travellers need to take precautions, especially during busy holiday periods such as Easter. Dr Dipti Patel of the National Travel Health Network and Centre explained practical steps: “Prepare before travel and take measures to prevent mosquito bites. Using Deet-based repellents, covering exposed skin, and sleeping under insecticide-treated nets can dramatically lower the risk of infection.”
Health authorities also recommend consulting updated travel guidance and visiting travel clinics to discuss potential vaccinations where appropriate. The warning comes as Chikungunya spreads to new regions, including southern Europe, driven by rising temperatures and increased international travel. Parts of France and Italy have reported cases linked to local mosquito populations.
Alongside Chikungunya, the UK continues to see high levels of imported Malaria, with 1,629 cases recorded in 2025, slightly fewer than the previous year. Dengue fever, however, has shown a significant decline. Researchers warn that warming climates allow mosquito species like the tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus, to expand their range into areas previously considered low risk, raising the potential for outbreaks in traditionally cooler regions.
The rise of Chikungunya underscores the need for heightened vigilance among travellers and sustained public health efforts to monitor vector-borne diseases. With global travel and climate change influencing disease patterns, experts caution that infections once limited to tropical regions may increasingly appear in Europe and other temperate zones.
