Brits Bring Home Chikungunya

Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne infection that affects 100 countries worldwide as of 2025. Many international travelers returning to England, Wales, and Northern Ireland from these locations become infected with this severe virus.

According to the latest data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), published on August 14, 2025, there has been an increase in travel-associated chikungunya cases in the United Kingdom.

A total of 73 cases were reported between January and June 2025, compared to just 27 cases during the same period in 2024.

This marks the highest number of cases recorded for this period to date, says the UKHSA.

Most cases reporting travel to Sri Lanka, India, and Mauritius align with ongoing local outbreaks in countries in the Indian Ocean region.

In the UK, chikungunya vaccines were approved for most adults in 2025.