diseases being reported by travellers returning to the UK from trips abroad

14th August 2025

Here's what recent public health data and reports reveal about illnesses being detected in travellers returning to the UK from destinations abroad.

Common Imported Infections
1. Mosquito-borne Viruses

Dengue fever—nicknamed "breakbone fever"—remains the most frequently reported vector-borne infection. In 2024, there were 904 cases in returning travellers, up 43% from the previous year

Chikungunya is also sharply rising: over 73 cases were reported in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland during the first half of 2025—more than double the 27 cases over the same period in 2024

Zika virus saw 8 cases in 2023 in England—the same number as in 2022—and 8 cases in the first half of 2024

While uncommon, Zika poses a significant risk to pregnant women

2. Malaria

Imported malaria remains a serious concern and continues to rise.

2,106 cases were recorded in the UK in 2023—the highest since 2001—up from 1,555 in 2022

In 2024, 1,812 travel-acquired malaria cases were provisionally reported
GOV.UK
.

Severe malaria is most often linked to travel in Sub-Saharan Africa, especially among those visiting friends and relatives (VFR travellers)

3. Enteric Fever (Typhoid & Paratyphoid)

In 2024, the UK recorded a record high of 702 cases of typhoid and paratyphoid—an 8% increase from 2023

Most cases were travel-associated, especially among travellers from South Asia (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh), an area with rising antibiotic-resistant typhoid strains

4. Gastrointestinal Infections & Hepatitis A

UKHSA routinely includes travel-associated GI infections (e.g., campylobacter, E. coli, shigella, salmonella excluding typhoid/paratyphoid, cryptosporidium, giardia) in surveillance systems, alongside hepatitis A, measles, and other infections (e.g., legionella, mpox, TB, pertussis)

Hepatitis A remains a risk in high-risk destinations, with a vaccine available via GPs

5. Rabies
Though rare in the UK, there was a recent fatality: a traveller returned from Morocco and died of rabies, marking the seventh such fatal case in the

UKHSA heavily emphasizes avoidance of animal bites in endemic areas and immediate post-exposure treatment—even for vaccinated individuals

6. Meningococcal Disease (MenACWY)
Between February and March 2025, five cases of invasive meningococcal disease (MenW) were reported in UK pilgrims returning from Umrah (Saudi Arabia), alongside concerns about MERS-CoV ("camel flu")

Vaccination with MenACWY (a visa requirement for Saudi travel) is strongly recommended; symptoms can progress rapidly and be fatal

7. Rare/Syndromic Tropic Infections
The Rare & Imported Pathogens Laboratory (RIPL) — covering 2015-2020 — reported the most common diagnoses in returning travellers were:

Dengue, followed by chikungunya, Zika, leptospirosis, and spotted fever group rickettsia

8. Airport Malaria
A very rare but unusual form of malaria known as "airport malaria" occurs when infected mosquitoes travel via aircraft and infect individuals around airports—no travel history needed

Summary Table

Key Travel-Associated Diseases Reported in the UK

Dengue 904 cases in 2024; highest since 2009

Chikungunya 73 cases H1 2025—over double 2024 count

Zika 8 cases in 2022-2023 annually

Malaria Peaked at 2,106 cases in 2023; 1,812 in 2024

Typhoid / Paratyphoid
Record 702 cases in 2024; linked to South Asia

Gastrointestinal / Hepatitis A Persistent risks; surveillance ongoing

Rabies Recent fatal case linked to Morocco

Meningococcal Disease (MenW) 5 cases reported from Umrah pilgrims in early 2025

Rare Tropical Infections
Dengue, chikungunya, Zika, leptospirosis, rickettsia remain notable diagnoses

Airport Malaria Rare, but noted in isolated incidents