The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is issuing a fresh warning to British travellers as the summer holiday season commences, urging them to take robust precautions against a range of travel-associated infections. New provisional data for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland highlights a continued presence of mosquito-borne illnesses like dengue and Zika virus disease, alongside enteric fever, with cases extending from spring into the current busy travel period.
Statistics released today indicate a significant number of imported infections. From January to June 2026, England recorded 137 cases of dengue, with South-East Asia and South Asia being the most common regions of exposure, particularly Thailand and the Maldives. During the same period, eight cases of Zika virus disease were reported, already exceeding the seven cases seen throughout the entirety of 2025. Indonesia was linked to half of these Zika cases, a notable increase given only one travel-associated case from Indonesia was reported between 2014 and 2025.
Beyond mosquito-borne viruses, the data also reveals 557 cases of malaria in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland between January and May 2026. While potentially fatal, malaria is largely preventable through correct use of antimalarial tablets. Additionally, 59 cases of chikungunya were reported from January to June 2026, with Sri Lanka identified as the most frequent country of travel for these infections.
The UKHSA also highlighted the ongoing risk of enteric fever, encompassing typhoid and paratyphoid. A total of 287 such cases were reported from January to June 2026. These serious but preventable illnesses are typically spread through contaminated food or water. The agency notes that the highest number of enteric fever cases has historically been recorded between May and October, with a peak often observed in September.
Dr. Hilary Kirkbride, Consultant Epidemiologist and Head of Travel Health at UKHSA, underscored the importance of preparation. She advised travellers to consult the TravelHealthPro website for specific health advice for their destinations, including necessary vaccinations and medications. General preventative measures include using insect repellent, covering exposed skin, sleeping under treated bed nets where required, and diligently practising good food and water hygiene to prevent stomach bugs.