This post was last checked in June 2025. As our world becomes increasingly interconnected and the climate changes, the UK faces challenges that we might associate with more exotic destinations. One such challenge is the potential introduction of invasive mosquito …| ukhsa.blog.gov.uk
To help you stay safe this spring and summer, we've compiled a guide to protecting yourself from tick-borne infections. In this blog, you'll learn how to avoid tick bites, how to recognise the signs and symptoms of Lyme disease and TBE and when to seek medical assistance.| ukhsa.blog.gov.uk
In this blog we focus on the activities of our Medical Entomology and Zoonoses Ecology (MEZE) team. That’s our scientists responsible for assessing the emerging risk posed by arthropods (in the UK’s case, primarily ticks and mosquitoes), that can carry and transmit the bacteria, viruses and parasites that cause disease.| ukhsa.blog.gov.uk
The official blog of the UK Health Security Agency, providing expert insight on the organisation's work and all aspects of health security| ukhsa.blog.gov.uk
The official blog of the UK Health Security Agency, providing expert insight on the organisation's work and all aspects of health security| ukhsa.blog.gov.uk
Oropouche virus disease is a lesser-known tropical infection that’s been spreading across Central and South America in recent years. If you're planning to travel to the region, or are just curious about this emerging health concern, here's everything you need to know.| UK Health Security Agency
Chikungunya may not be a household name, but this mosquito-borne viral infection has become a significant concern for travellers to some destinations. The disease, whose name derives from the Kimakonde (a language of Southern Tanzania) word meaning ‘that which bends up’ due to the severe joint pain it causes, has spread across the globe in …| ukhsa.blog.gov.uk
While many of us revel in the hot summer sunshine, others are at risk of developing heat-related complications such as sunstroke and heatstroke. In this blog post we will outline how heat affects the body and look at some of the …| ukhsa.blog.gov.uk
The official blog of the UK Health Security Agency, providing expert insight on the organisation's work and all aspects of health security| ukhsa.blog.gov.uk
This blog describes how people are affected by hearing loss across the life course and sets out actions for prevention and treatment.| ukhsa.blog.gov.uk
Planning a holiday abroad? This guide provides essential information to help you travel safely and minimise health risks. Whether you're planning a beach break, visiting family overseas, or embarking on a backpacking adventure, it’s worth thinking ahead so that you …| UK Health Security Agency
Ultraviolet, or UV, radiation, comes to earth from the sun. The ozone layer protects those of us on the ground from most of it, but some does reach the surface. Here’s a quick briefing on UV. How to protect yourself When …| UK Health Security Agency
When autumn comes, protection from any earlier COVID-19 vaccination you may have had will be starting to wane. For those who are more likely to become seriously ill from COVID-19, the NHS offers a free vaccine in the autumn, previously …| UK Health Security Agency
Breathing in polluted air affects our health, reduces our life expectancy, and costs our society billions of pounds each year. It is estimated that 2 million healthy life years are lost in Europe due to the impacts of poor air …| UK Health Security Agency
Rabies is a rare but deadly viral infection that affects the brain and nervous system. Human cases of rabies are extremely rare in the UK but the infection poses a risk to travellers visiting regions where the disease remains prevalent.| ukhsa.blog.gov.uk
In this blog, we will explore the role of pathogen genomics in UK biosecurity and how we are developing our genomic systems to better protect public health in the UK.| ukhsa.blog.gov.uk
As summer arrives, you’re likely to spend more time outdoors with your children. Lots of us love this time of year and it’s great to enjoy the longer days and warmer weather. It’s worth being aware, however, of some common seasonal infections and hazards to help you spot illness more easily and take action if you need to| UK Health Security Agency
During the summer, many of us enjoy the longer days, warmer evenings, and time outdoors. But warmer weather also brings potential risks to health, especially when temperatures climb higher than usual.| ukhsa.blog.gov.uk
As West Nile virus is detected in mosquitoes collected in the UK for the first time, we take a look at how UKHSA is protecting the UK from vector-borne diseases| ukhsa.blog.gov.uk
Recent data shows a concerning upward trend of antibiotic-resistant gonorrhoea infections, particularly in popular tourist destinations across the Asia-Pacific region. This includes countries such as Thailand, China, Cambodia and Vietnam. These infections are sometimes called ‘super-gonorrhoea’ in the media.| ukhsa.blog.gov.uk
Details of who is eligible to book a free NHS COVID-19 vaccination this spring.| ukhsa.blog.gov.uk
Today we have published a Priority Pathogen Families reference tool, highlighting 24 pathogen families where we believe further research is most needed in the interests of biosecurity.| ukhsa.blog.gov.uk
On World TB Day 2025, we look at the most recent data, which showed a rise of 13% in reported numbers of cases in England between 2023 and 2024.| ukhsa.blog.gov.uk
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is harnessing the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to address health security challenges. Here are 3 examples of projects that demonstrate how we're using cutting-edge AI technology to protect and improve public health. Using …| ukhsa.blog.gov.uk
As the Sun reaches its most active period in 22 years, we’re increasingly aware of the potential risks from severe space weather events. In our latest blog post, find out how we're refining our understanding and responses to space weather, ensuring the UK remains resilient to these cosmic challenges.| ukhsa.blog.gov.uk
Nanoplastics, and their slightly larger cousins microplastics, are polluting our environment and our food. The study of these tiny particles is still a relatively new field and in this blog post for British Science Week we’ll explore how scientists are investigating the effects nanoparticles are having on the human brain and its defences.| ukhsa.blog.gov.uk
For British Science Week, we take a look at how decades old, pre-antibiotic samples in our Culture Collections are helping to address health security challenges today. Read our latest blog post to find out how our specimens have become essential ingredients in some of the most important scientific developments in history – some more than …| ukhsa.blog.gov.uk
NOIDs publishing has been paused from 3 April 2025 while UKHSA undertakes development work to improve the completeness of what is published compared with what is reported to UKHSA Health Protection Teams by doctors. This pause is timed to also …| ukhsa.blog.gov.uk
In this blog post we take a behind-the-scenes look at the Rare and Imported Pathogens Laboratory (RIPL), where our scientists work to safeguard public health from rare and deadly diseases. Our laboratories RIPL is the UK’s frontline clinical diagnostic laboratory …| ukhsa.blog.gov.uk
This blog post summarises the key points about Lassa fever and what UKHSA does when a case of an infectious disease such as Lassa fever is identified in the UK.| ukhsa.blog.gov.uk
This blog post was reviewed and updated in February 2025. Data for the current 2024/2025 season in England shows that norovirus laboratory reports are notably higher than the 5-season average. Norovirus cases typically increase through autumn and into winter, but …| ukhsa.blog.gov.uk
A summary of who is eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine or autumn booster in 2024. Current vaccines provide good protection against severe disease and hospitalisation, with protection lasting for around 4 months.| ukhsa.blog.gov.uk
The Health Effects of Climate Change report summarises the latest science on health threats from climate change in the UK. Since the last report in 2012, both the evidence and the risks have greatly escalated. Read 11 key takeaways in our latest post.| ukhsa.blog.gov.uk
