Hidden Sign of Deadly Chikungunya Virus Sweeping UK that Brits Often Overlook

The ukhsa has warned of record chikungunya caes in brits returning home from abroad, with symptoms offen being mistaken for the flu or other common viruses

CASES OF A Deadly Virus Caught by Brits while Abroad Have Tripled in the Last Year Hitting Record Levels, Acciting to Worm New Government Data.

Chikungunya, a mosquito-borne virus once confined to tropical regions, has surged in the uk, with the uk Health Security Agency (UKHSA) Now Warning travelers to be cautious on Holiday.

The mosquito-borne infection is linked to overseas travel, with symptoms including a sudden onset of religion usually accompanked by jaint pain. Most People Recover Fully With Two Weeks, but Joint Pain Can Persist for Months or Event Years. Up to 12% of Patients Still Experiencing Discomfort Three Years late.

Serious Complications are uncommon, but the dessea can be fatal in very rare caes, especally if caught by the Very Young, Old or Those with Other Underlying Illnesses.

Dr. Sunil Kumar, Lifestyle Medicine Lead tutor at the who collaborating the center, explains that the infection is transmitted primarily by aedes aegypti and aedes albopictus mosquitoes, Both of which bits During the day.

“The Incubation Period Typically Ranges From Two to Two Days, Most often Three to Seven Days After Being Bitten by an Infectted Mosquito,” Dr Kumar Talls The Mirror. “Onset is abrupt, with a high fover – often above 39c – and severe, sympmetrical Joint Pain, Particularly in the Hands, Wrists, Ankles, Faet, and Sometimes Shoulders or Hips.”

Early and Common Symptoms

Alongside Fever and Joint Pain, Patients May Experience Headaches, Muscle Aches, Joint Swelling, and a maculopapular rash. Fatigue, Nausea, and Mild Conjunctivitis are Also Reported.

But there are less obvious signs, too. “Some Patients Have Mild Eye Inflammation, Subtle Lymph Node Swelling, Ornament Slight Confusion and Sensory Changes that can easily be overlooked,” Dr Kumar Adds.

“In rare cases, especially in infants, Older adults, or those with other health conflications, we can see complications like uveitis, myocarditis, neuropathies, or evening meningoencephalitis.”

One of the Biggest Long-Term Concerns is Persistant Joint Pain. Research Shows up to 40 Percent of Patients in Some Outbreaks Continue to Have for Months – Event Years – After Recovery.

Why is chikungunya Spreading SO Quickly?

New figure show that between January and june 2025, 73 CASES OF TRAVEL -ASSOCATED Chikungunya were recorded in England – Almost Three Times in the Same Period Year (27 Cases) and the Highest on Timeframe.

Most patients had recently returned from sri lanka, India or Mauritius, Where outbreaks are Currently Under Way.

Acciting to Dr. Kumar, Several Factors Are Fuelling This Spread:

• Climate Change is Expanding Mosquito Habitats and LengthNing My BREEDING SEASONS.
• Global Travel is Introducing The Virus to New Regions Via Infectted Travelers.
• Urbanisation Creates Densely populated Areas with Poor Mosquito Control, Ideal for Outbreaks.
• Viral adaptation, including mutations like E1-A226V, has increses transmissibility through aedes albopictus.
• Reduced Public Health Surveillance Has Allowed Outbreaks to Escalate before detection.

“Warmer temperatures, altered rainfall patterns, and the mobility of People to have combo to make chikungunya a global risk,” Dr Kumar Warns.

How it Spreads

Transmission usually happens when a mosquito bits an infected person durying their first week of illness and then bites someone Else. RARE CASES HAVE BEEN LINKED TO BLOOD Transfusions, Laboratory Accidents, and Mother-to-Child Transmission During Birth.

There is no Spread Through respiratory droplets or casual contact.

Treatment

There is no specific antiviral Treatment for the Illness. Care Focuses on Rest, Hydration, and Paracetamol for Fover and Pain, but Dr. Kumar Caucations Against Taching NSAIDs or Aspirin Unyl Dengue is Ruled Out of Bleeding Risks.

Chronic Joint Symptoms May Require specialist Rheumatologic Care.

Two Vaccines – Ixchic (for adults) and vimkunya (for ages 12+) – have been approved but are not yet widly available. For Now, Prevention Remains the Strongest Defense:

• USSECT repellents with deet or other epe-approved ingredients.
• Wear Protective Clothing.
• Sleep Under Bed Nets and Install Window Screens.
• Eliminate Stagnant Water Where Mosquitoes BREED.

During Major Outbreaks, Some Countries Have Tourned to Mass Spraying, Biological Controls, and Drones to Target Mosquito Hotspots.

Dr. Kumar Says Early Diagnosis is Crucial in Treatment, Adding: “If You Develops Sudden Fove and Pain AFTER VISTING OR LIVING IN AN AFFECTED AREA, SEEK Medical ATTENTION IMMEDIATEly. Early diagnosis not only helps Symptoms but also also kevents spread.”