UK Health Security Agency

@ukhsa

Official feed of the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) providing regular news updates on the work of the organisation.

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UK Health Security Agency@ukhsa· 28d

🆕 Latest UKHSA data on travel-associated infections: Imported cases of dengue and Zika virus, two mosquito-borne infections, continue to be reported as the busy summer travel season begins.

Travellers urged to protect themselves from infections while abroad this summer. UK Health Security Agency infographic showing imported mosquito-borne infections: 137 dengue fever cases, 8 Zika virus cases, 59 chikungunya cases and 557 malaria cases. A silhouette of a traveller with luggage appears on the right.

Dr Hilary Kirkbride, Consultant Epidemiologist and Head of Travel Health at UKHSA. The advice recommends using insect repellent, covering exposed skin and sleeping under a treated bed net where needed. It also notes that travellers may not have the same natural protection against infections as permanent residents and should take precautions every time they travel. A silhouette of a traveller with luggage appears on the right.

UK Health Security Agency@ukhsa· Jul 6

🟠⚠️ An Amber Heat-Health Alert has been issued across the Midlands and southern England, with a Yellow Heat-Health Alert in place across Yorkshire and northern England. These alerts will be in place until Sunday 12 July.

Amber heat health alerts issued for the East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, London, South East and South West, and Yellow heat health alerts issued for the North East, Yorkshire and the Humber and the North West

For advice from Scotland please visit publichealthscotland.scot
For advice from Northern Ireland please visit publichealth.hscni.net
For advice from Wales please visit phw.nhs.wales

UK Health Security Agency@ukhsa· Jun 26

🆕 New UKHSA data show an increase in babies being protected earlier against MenB. Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/esKNb-2x

Changes to the MenB schedule are helping to protect babies earlier
89.8%
of eligible
6-month-old babies
received their second MenB dose, by April 2026.
An increase of 4.6%

UK Health Security Agency@ukhsa· Jun 22

🔴⚠️ A Red Heat-Health Alert has been issued across the Midlands and southern England until 25 June. This is the highest level of alert and indicates a risk to everyone's health, not just vulnerable groups. Northern England is under an Amber alert. 🔗 ukhsa-dashboard.data.gov.uk

Red Alert:
East Midlands
West Midlands
East of England
London
South East
South West

Amber Alert:
North East
North West
Yorkshire and The Humber

UK Health Security Agency@ukhsa· Jun 12

🆕 A free 2-dose MenB vaccine will be available for a limited time from end of July. Who can have it: 🏫 All current Year 13s 🧑‍🎓 Anyone either starting university as an undergrad or moving into further education halls for the first time in autumn 2026, aged under 25

MenB Vaccine
Available for a limited time from late July 2026
Who is eligible?
All current year 13 students
(or of equivalent age)
Anyone aged under 25 starting university or moving into further education halls of residence for the first time this autumn
Two doses are essential for protection

UK Health Security Agency@ukhsa· Jun 5

📈 Genital herpes cases are rising, with a 3.1% increase reported in England between 2024 and 2025. It’s a common STI, and many people have no symptoms. You can catch it through skin-to-skin contact like touching or rubbing, so it can be passed on without having penetrative sex.

Did you know?
Genital herpes is transmitted skin-to-skin. You cannot catch it from toilet seats or towels.

UK Health Security Agency@ukhsa· Jun 3

Vaccines have been saving lives for over 200 years - but did you know the very first vaccine was developed in the UK?✨ In the 1790s, Edward Jenner used the relatively mild cowpox virus to build immunity against deadly smallpox, laying the foundation for modern vaccination.

Did you know?
The first successful vaccine was pioneered in England 230 years ago. It protected against smallpox, a disease that has since been wiped out due to vaccination.

UK Health Security Agency@ukhsa· Jun 2

🆕 Our latest STI report lands today with positive signs - diagnoses have fallen 8.3% overall, showing system-wide efforts are making a real difference. It also shows syphilis diagnoses in gay and bisexual men at their lowest since 2016.

Latest STI data from UKHSA shows syphilis cases among gay and bisexual men lowest in decade

UK Health Security Agency@ukhsa· May 22

🟠⚠ Amber heat-health alerts have been issued to the health systems across central England until 27 May, with yellow alerts covering the rest of the country. You can check the latest alerts and guidance through the early warning system here: 🔗 ukhsa-dashboard.data.gov.uk/weather-health-alerts

Amber alert: East Midlands, East of England, London, South East and West Midlands. Yellow alert: North West, North East, South West and Yorkshire and the Humber.

UK Health Security Agency@ukhsa· May 21

If you are travelling to Saudi Arabia for Hajj, check the latest advice on the Travel Health Pro website in advance 🕋 🔗 https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/factsheet/19/hajj-and-umrah

Close-up of the Kaaba’s black and gold detailing against a plain background. UKHSA branding appears at the top. Overlaid text reads: “Travelling to the Middle East? What you need to know about Middle East Respiratory Syndrome.”

Two camels stand in a sandy desert landscape under a clear sky. UKHSA branding appears at the top. Overlaid text reads: “Avoid close contact with camels, camel products, drinking camel milk or eating undercooked camel meat.”

Two tall mosque minarets rise against a clear blue sky with UKHSA branding at the top. Overlaid text reads: “If you have a chronic disease, speak to your doctor before travelling. Make sure you have had the mandatory and recommended vaccinations.”

A cityscape featuring the Mecca Clock Tower and the Kaaba in the foreground. UKHSA branding appears at the top. Overlaid text reads: “Seek urgent help if you develop a fever or are feeling feverish, a cough or difficulty breathing, within 14 days of travel from the Middle East. Tell your doctor or health professional exactly where you travelled to.”

UK Health Security Agency@ukhsa· May 21

🌿🦠 Our first One Health surveillance report of vector-borne diseases (VBD) in England shows: 📊 Lyme disease remains the most common VBD 🦟 Emerging mosquito threats are increasing across Europe While risk to the public remains low, taking precautions matters Read full report https://bit.ly/3Py2hFy

UK Health Security Agency@ukhsa· May 18

Following the WHO’s declaration of a global health emergency for Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, the risk to the UK remains low. Our latest blog explains the disease, including its symptoms, how it spreads, and how we respond.

Dr Meera Chand, Deputy Director at UKHSA said:

“While the current outbreak of Ebola affecting the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda is serious, the risk it poses to the UK population is low.

“It is rare for Ebola cases to occur in returning travellers and the NHS has safe procedures in place for any such cases and specialist centres where they can be looked after. We will continue to work closely with international partners.”

UK Health Security Agency@ukhsa· May 15

🚨🧪 Our UK Public Health Rapid Support Team has deployed a fully functioning mobile laboratory to one of the world’s most remote locations to support the hantavirus outbreak response. Read our blog post for the full story 🔗 https://bit.ly/4wxnlwo

People unload large equipment cases from the back of a vehicle on a roadside near an airport setting, with more cases nearby. Overlaid text reads “Lab in a bag lands in Saint Helena” and explains the challenge of transporting a full laboratory to a remote island, followed by the question “But why did we do it?”

People at an airport stand beside multiple large black flight cases and luggage trolleys, preparing equipment for travel. Overlaid text explains that the government of Saint Helena requested help during the hantavirus outbreak and that UK-PHRST responded within 24 hours, with a prompt asking “Who are UK-PHRST?”

Three team members stand outdoors for a group photo in front of buildings and trees. Overlaid text explains that the UK Public Health Rapid Support Team responds quickly to outbreaks worldwide and introduces team members, including two microbiologists and an infection prevention and control expert, with a prompt asking “What’s the impact?”

A portable glovebox laboratory setup sits on a wooden desk in a clinical room. The unit has sealed arm ports, ventilation tubes, and protective gloves nearby, alongside control equipment and testing supplies. Overlaid text explains that deploying the team helps train laboratory and healthcare staff to manage hantavirus safely and reduce community spread, followed by “That is what rapid response looks like.”

UK Health Security Agency@ukhsa· May 15

We are currently working with partners to manage a small cluster of meningitis cases in the Reading area. Meningitis is a serious illness - knowing the symptoms can save lives: https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2025/10/31/what-is-meningitis-symptoms-risks-and-how-to-protect-yourself/

How common is meningitis in England?
Around 300 to 400 cases of meningococcal disease are diagnosed in England every year. The vast majority of infections involve only a single case. Outbreaks are rare and typically involve 2 to 4 cases.

How common is meningitis in England?
Fast-spreading outbreaks, such as the Kent cluster in March 2026, with 21 cases in a very short time, are highly unusual.

Meningitis symptoms
A rash will not always appear. Symptoms of meningitis develop suddenly and can include:
• a high temperature (fever)
• being sick
• a headache
• a rash that does not fade when a glass is rolled over it (but a rash will not always develop)
• a stiff neck
• a dislike of bright lights
• drowsiness or unresponsiveness
• seizures (fits)
Call 999 or go to your nearest A&E immediately if you think you or someone you look after could have meningitis or sepsis.

UK Health Security Agency@ukhsa· May 12

We have a dedicated blog post with information on the hantavirus outbreak linked to the Dutch cruise ship, which we are regularly updating. 🔗Full details here: https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2026/05/12/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-hantavirus-outbreak-linked-to-the-dutch-cruise-ship/ 🧪

ukhsa.blog.gov.uk
What you need to know about the hantavirus outbreak linked to the Dutch cruise ship

UK Health Security Agency@ukhsa· May 8

We are regularly updating our blog post on the hantavirus outbreak. Read it here: https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2026/05/05/what-is-hantavirus-how-is-it-transmitted-and-what-are-the-symptoms/

UK Health Security Agency@ukhsa· May 6

We are working closely with international partners to respond to the outbreak of hantavirus linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship. The latest information is in our news story: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ukhsa-update-on-the-hantavirus-cruise-ship-outbreak

Illustration of hantavirus under the microscope

Dr Meera Chand, Deputy Director for Epidemic and Emerging Infections at UKHSA said: 'We are standing up arrangements to support, isolate and monitor British nationals from the ship on their return to the UK and we are contact tracing anyone who may have been in contact with the ship or the hantavirus cases to limit the risk of onward transmission.'

UK Health Security Agency@ukhsa· Apr 25

Malaria is a serious illness spread by mosquitoes – and you can catch it from a single bite.🦟 Malaria is common in many tropical parts of the world, so it's worth visiting TravelHealthPro to check country‑specific advice before you go: https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/ #WorldMalariaDay

graphic styled like an airport departures board with the message ‘Catching a flight? Don’t catch malaria’. A traveller wearing a backpack looks up at the board, which lists prevention measures such as vaccinations, long sleeves and antimalarials. Text advises checking TravelHealthPro to find out if vaccinations or antimalarials are needed

UK Health Security Agency@ukhsa· Apr 24

📰 The UK's largest ever real-world study into RSV vaccination has confirmed that babies born to vaccinated mothers are up to 85% less likely to end up in hospital with an RSV chest infection. Thanks to all the NHS health professionals who deliver this vital programme 👏

Woman holding a baby close against her shoulder. Text states that the maternal RSV vaccine can reduce baby hospital admissions by up to 85%, based on a large real‑world study in England

Baby sleeping on their side next to a soft toy. Text explains this is the largest study of maternal RSV vaccination, covering 90% of births in England between September 2024 and March 2025

Adult gently kissing a baby’s cheek in an outdoor setting. Text explains that babies born to mothers vaccinated against RSV during pregnancy were up to 85% less likely to be hospitalised with an RSV chest infection, especially when born at least four weeks after vaccination.

Close-up of a baby sleeping in a hospital cot. Text highlights research showing high protection for premature babies when there is at least a two‑week gap between maternal vaccination and birth

UK Health Security Agency@ukhsa· Apr 24

Last week, UKHSA’s WHO Collaborating Centre for Diphtheria co-hosted an international symposium with colleagues from the Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority (LGL). Global experts came together to share the latest science on diphtheria - from diagnostics & immunity to vaccines & genomics.🧪

Group photo of global experts at an international symposium in Munich

UK Health Security Agency@ukhsa· Apr 17

🆕 You might have seen news stories reporting 3 confirmed cases of meningitis (MenB) in Dorset. 💊 All have received treatment and are recovering well. Close contacts of the cases have already been offered antibiotics as a precaution. ℹ️ This strain is not linked to the recent outbreak in Kent

An image of a teenage holding a phone, the overlaid text reads: Meningitis cases in Dorset: What you need to know

UK Health Security Agency@ukhsa· Apr 16

You have just over one week left to submit your abstract for UKHSA Conference 2026. 🔍📄 Find full details, including abstract guidance and submission instructions, on our conference website. www.conference.ukhsa.gov.uk

UK Health Security Agency@ukhsa· Apr 2

Our latest data shows chronic hepatitis C cases in England have dropped 61% since 2015: from 129,000 to around 50,200 adults in 2024. Among people who inject drugs, infection rates have fallen from 28.6% in 2015 to 5.2% in 2024.

Dr Monica Desai, Head of the Hepatitis Section at the UKHSA, said:
We are making significant progress towards eliminating hepatitis C.
The sharp fall in cases since 2015 shows the impact of expanded testing and sustained access to modern curative treatments and the commitment of health services and community partners across England. While the number of people living with the virus continues to decline, it remains vital that those most at risk are offered testing, can access life-saving treatments, and receive the support needed to prevent new infections.

UK Health Security Agency@ukhsa· Apr 2

🆕 All adults aged 75+ including over 80s and people living in a care home for older adults, are now eligible for the RSV vaccine, following the expansion of the programme to around 3 million more people.

Text reads:
From April 2026, the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine is available free on the NHS for:
- adults aged 75 or over
- older adults living in a care home

Image depicts:
The image features an older couple standing close together and smiling warmly at the camera.

Conall Watson, Consultant Epidemiologist, RSV lead at UKHSA said:
“RSV lung infection is less well known than COVID or flu but for older adults it can be particularly dangerous and puts thousands in hospital each year with a risk to life.
New evidence today from the UK public health agencies shows the vaccine cuts your risk of being hospitalised by around 75% – so it’s great news that the vaccine is now available to everyone aged 75 and over, including all those aged over 80. And we also know that the RSV vaccine for pregnant women is providing excellent protection to newborn babies. If you’re eligible, be sure to take up the offer and get the best protection possible against a nasty case of RSV pneumonia.”

UK Health Security Agency@ukhsa· Mar 30

🫵🧑‍🔬 We're inviting abstract submissions for the UKHSA Conference 2026, which returns to Manchester in September, bringing together the health security community for 2 days. 🔍📄 Find full details here🔗 https://www.conference.ukhsa.gov.uk/event/73c514fd-bf35-44f2-ab2e-49552a362b52/sumbit-an-abstract

UK Health Security Agency@ukhsa· Mar 26

✈️ Traveling abroad? 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. (2/2) 🧳 For the latest advice on your destination, visit travelhealthpro.org

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.'

UK Health Security Agency@ukhsa· Mar 26

🦟📰 Our latest data shows that in returning travellers, chikungunya, a mosquito-borne illness that can cause severe joint and muscle pain, rose 43% in 2025 compared to 2024. (1/2) 🔗 Find the full news story here: https://bit.ly/3PvZLPM

Graphic with a blue sky and mountain landscape background. An airplane appears in the top right corner. Large text reads: 'Travelling abroad this Easter? UKHSA urges travellers to take precautions as chikungunya cases reach 10‑year high.'

UK Health Security Agency@ukhsa· Mar 25

Today we have published a technical primer on meningococcal carriage and invasive disease. You may find it useful if you are working in infectious disease, public health, or vaccination. 🔗 https://www.gov.uk/guidance/meningococcal-carriage-and-infection-technical-background

Illustration of Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcus) under a microscope

UK Health Security Agency@ukhsa· Mar 24

🆕 Latest on the meningitis outbreak in Kent: We’ve worked with academic experts to produce a new technical briefing. Early evidence and preliminary analyses provide strong reassurance that existing vaccinations and antibiotic treatments remain effective against this MenB strain.

Professor Robin May, Chief Scientific Officer at the UK Health Security Agency, said:

This preliminary analysis offers strong reassurance that our existing vaccinations and antibiotic treatment offer will be effective against this strain.

In collaboration with the research community, we will continue intensive laboratory investigations of the strain to determine how the spread of the outbreak may have been influenced by the bacterial strain, social or environmental conditions, and population immunity.

UK Health Security Agency@ukhsa· Mar 23

We continue to investigate the meningitis outbreak in Kent. No new cases have been confirmed since yesterday’s update. For more practical information about MenB, including details on signs and symptoms, and who is eligible for antibiotics and vaccination, read our blog post. ⬇️🔗