The UK Health Security Agency has recorded more than 1,000 cases of travel-associated illness across England, Wales and Northern Ireland in the first half of 2026, with malaria, dengue fever, enteric fever, chikungunya, and Zika virus all featuring in the latest surveillance data published by Travel Health Pro. The figures cover the period from January to June, and health officials are urging travellers to take precautionary measures before departing.
Malaria dominates the caseload. A total of 557 cases were reported between January and May alone — a figure that underlines the persistent risk posed by the disease to travellers visiting sub-Saharan Africa and other endemic regions. Malaria can be fatal if not diagnosed and treated promptly, and UKHSA guidance strongly recommends antimalarial prophylaxis for those travelling to affected areas.
Enteric fever — encompassing both typhoid and paratyphoid — accounted for 287 cases over the same period. The infection is transmitted through contaminated food and water, and historically the highest case numbers fall between May and October, meaning the current season represents the peak exposure window. Basic food and water hygiene remains the primary preventive measure.
Dengue fever contributed 137 cases in England, with South-East Asia and South Asia identified as the dominant exposure regions. Thailand alone was linked to 27 cases, and the Maldives to a further 19. The infection is mosquito-borne and typically self-limiting, though it can cause significant illness.
Chikungunya produced 59 confirmed cases, with Sri Lanka the most frequently cited country of exposure at 18 cases. The condition presents with sudden fever and acute joint pain. Eight Zika virus cases were also recorded, four of them linked to Indonesia — a notable shift, given that only a single Indonesia-linked case had been reported across the entire 2014–2025 period prior to 2024.
Dr Hilary Kirkbride, consultant epidemiologist and head of travel health at the UKHSA, urged the public to treat pre-travel preparation as a practical necessity rather than an afterthought. “Good preparation and planning is important for a safe and enjoyable trip,” she said, pointing travellers to the TravelHealthPro website for destination-specific vaccine and medication guidance. She also stressed that prior travel to a country confers no meaningful immunity: the same precautions apply on every visit. Pregnant women or those trying to conceive face additional considerations and should consult a clinician or travel clinic before booking.
The practical toolkit is straightforward. Vaccination where available, antimalarial tablets for relevant destinations, insect repellent, covering exposed skin, and using treated bed nets all reduce risk materially. For food- and water-borne infections, standard hygiene discipline — safe water sources, avoiding raw or poorly handled food — remains the most effective defence.