🆕 #UKHSAVirusWatch: The latest flu, COVID-19 & RSV data from our weekly winter surveillance report. 🟢 Flu has continued to increase - especially in children and young adults - in what has been an unusually early start to the influenza season. Read the full report below. 🔎 https://bit.ly/47shfmB

🆕 Norovirus data: Activity has varied in recent weeks but remains within expected levels. 🔗 Full report: https://bit.ly/3LLFfbL

This #OneHealthDay we're highlighting how #UKPHRST & MRC/UVRI Uganda at LSHTM researchers are using a #OneHealth approach to help Ugandan livestock owners, healthcare workers & vets be better prepared for future Rift Valley Fever outbreaks. See what they learnt 👉 bit.ly/OneHealthDay2025

Meningitis and septicaemia are rare but serious. Protect children with the MenB vaccine and ensure teens get MenACWY at school when offered. Know the key symptoms and keep a close watch on those who suddenly get sick. Read the full news story: https://bit.ly/3X606ZQ

🆕 #UKHSAVirusWatch: The latest flu, COVID-19 and RSV data from our weekly winter surveillance report. Flu has increased, particularly in children, and is now above baseline levels. This is an unusually early start to the influenza season Find the full report here: https://bit.ly/3Lh27zJ

🆕 Norovirus data: activity has started to increase in recent weeks though it remains within expected levels. 🔗 Full report: https://bit.ly/4oqXzFy

New data shows opt-out blood-borne virus testing in emergency departments is highly effective. The programme identified many undiagnosed infections, including hepatitis C & HIV but particularly hepatitis B. Almost 70% of people with a new diagnosis hadn't been tested before.

🆕 We are reminding eligible groups to come forward for mpox vaccination, as UKHSA becomes aware of small numbers of locally-acquired cases of clade Ib mpox in the USA, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands and Portugal. 📰🔗 https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ukhsa-detects-first-case-of-clade-ib-mpox

The annual FluSurvey is now open! 📝 Dr Matthew Quinn shares how you can help our scientists track seasonal viruses & strengthen national surveillance. Find more info in our blog post. 🤧💬 🔗 https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2025/10/22/join-the-fight-against-flu-by-taking-part-in-our-citizen-science-project/

🆕#UKHSAVirusWatch: The latest flu, COVID-19 and RSV data from our weekly winter surveillance report. 🟢 Flu has increased, particularly in children, and is now above baseline in some indicators.

During International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week we’re highlighting sources of lead, such as pipes, soil, imported foods & traditional remedies #ILPPW2025 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/lead-poisoning-advice-for-the-public-and-healthcare-professionals/lead-information-for-the-public

We are offering 5 paid internships for PhD students studying Maths, Stats, Bio Sciences, Social Research or Data Analysis to join our Early Career Researcher Programme, through the Isaac Newton Institute 🔬 🧪 https://gateway.newton.ac.uk/media/news/ukhsa-phd-student-internships-2025/

A new radon map has been launched for the Isle of Man, developed in partnership with the UK Health Security Agency. The map helps identify areas where higher radon levels are more likely, based on the type of ground properties are built on. 🏠

Join us this Thursday (23 October) at 11am for a webinar exploring how we safeguard the public’s health from radiation threats. Register here: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=mRRO7jVKLkutR188-d6GZoWDgUmZBEJMpxD-TyYSR-dUNEtZR01ZTkFXMUw0TFFDTTFLMFM2UTZJTy4u

We welcome injectable PrEP, a new preventative therapy that brings us closer to our goal of eliminating HIV. www.england.nhs.uk/2025/10/nhs-...

🆕 #UKHSAVirusWatch: The latest flu, COVID-19 and RSV data from our weekly winter surveillance report. 🟢 Flu has increased, particularly in children, but remains at baseline levels.

🔬 Did you know that @UKHSA is home to the National Collection of Pathogenic Viruses (NCPV)? Join our NCPV team for a webinar from 1 to 2pm tomorrow (Thu 16 October) as they celebrate 25 years of supporting vital scientific research. Register https://bit.ly/46mwzAK @culturecollections.bsky.social

Global Handwashing Day might only come once a year, but clean hands should be part of your daily routine. It’s one of the simplest and most effective ways to stop germs spreading. 🧼 ✅ Use soap and warm water ✅ Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds

🚀 We're LIVE at #WorldVaccineCongress! Thomas Gillespie & Rhiannon Oakley are at Stand 401 ready to discuss partnership opportunities & how UKHSA can support your work in vaccine innovation & global health security 🤝 #WVC2025 #UKHSA

#UKHSAVirusWatch is back, a summary of our weekly winter surveillance report .🦠🧵 This week's data shows an increase in COVID-19 activity, which is circulating at medium levels. Flu activity has also increased, particularly in those aged 15 to 24, but remains at baseline levels.

If you test positive for #HIV, treatment is highly effective, and most can expect to live a long, healthy life. Early diagnosis can be lifesaving, so please get tested regularly if you’re sexually active. Visit the NHS website to check your options: https://t.co/rvJOa6bo28 https://t.co/TxoVjMSA1n

HIV treatment is very effective. Get tested, and take control of your health. There are many ways to access testing kits - visit the NHS website to check your options: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hiv-and-aids/

Yesterday, we signed a landmark Surveillance Data Sharing Agreement with Italy’s Istituto Superiore di Sanità. This technical accord enables secure exchange of anonymised data including on pathogen genomics, antimicrobial resistance, vaccine-preventable diseases & One Health.

Last week our CEO @smhopkins.bsky.social spoke at the @thepandemicinst.bsky.social about our mission to protect the UK against current and future health threats. She stressed that pandemic preparedness means acting now to prevent what we can, and being ready to respond swiftly when necessary.

Although we have discovered eggs of Aedes mosquitoes recently, there is no evidence of established populations in the UK and we are unlikely to see them for the moment. Read more about how we monitor mosquitoes: ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2024/12/03/h...

#Nanoplastics are very small, but they might be having a big impact on our health. Read our blog post on the effects of #Microplastics and their tinier counterpart. ❇️🤏 🔗 https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2025/03/12/nanoplastics-are-everywhere-what-is-the-health-impact-of-these-tiny-particles/

We are pleased to be hosting this year's European Radiation Protection Week (ERPW) conference in London. The new UKHSA Chief Scientist Robin May attended yesterday alongside many colleagues from UKHSA's Radiation Protection Sciences Division.

Today, @NHSEngland delivers the first flu and COVID jabs of the season, to ‘winter-proof’ the vulnerable. Find out how to book if you're eligible: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/vaccination-and-booking-services/

Jetting off outside the UK? Even if you’re a regular at your destination, check travelhealthpro.org.uk before you go. Knowing how to protect yourself keeps your festivities festive. 🎊

As part of World AMR Awareness Week 2025, the Fleming Initiative will take over the billboard at Piccadilly Circus to raise awareness of antimicrobial resistance. Find out how you can take part on the link below. ✨💊 🔗 fleminginitiative.org/thank-you-antibiotics

Noticing lots of cold symptoms and cases of the sniffles? 🤧 We're seeing a sharp increase in rhinovirus, which causes the common cold, as shown in our latest weekly data. This isn't unexpected for this time of year when kids go back to school and mixing increases.

The new Moderna Innovation and Technology Centre will produce millions of vaccines for viruses like flu, RSV & COVID-19 and help the UK prepare for future pandemics. 🛡💉 📰🔗 www.gov.uk/government/n...

Clinicians & laboratory staff can register for a free online webinar on acute flaccid paralysis and myelitis, run next month by UKHSA, NHSE & MHRA. Sign up here: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/3cf12d5d-02a7-4ffc-b846-746ec8833ba9@ee4e1499-4a35-4b2e-ad47-5f3cf9de8666

From mapping outbreaks of gastroenteritis to analysing qualitative survey responses, AI is helping us to protect and improve public health. Find out more on our blog: https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2025/03/14/how-we-are-pioneering-artificial-intelligence-applications-in-public-health/

A year today, we'll be kicking off our 2026 conference in Manchester. 📅 Save the date: Tuesday 22 and Wednesday 23 September 2026. We'll be sharing more details in the months ahead.

This new paper from @ukhsa.bsky.social scientists including @smhopkins.bsky.social and @cstewartb.bsky.social - and @ox.ac.uk academics like @samlipworth.bsky.social - looks at possible improvements to pathogen surveillance through the use of Oxford Nanopore Technologies.

Public health messages should use self-explanatory language. If messages use vague words (like 'vulnerable'), people have to fill in the blanks. My research has impacted the language that @ukhsa.bsky.social uses. Here's an article and video all about it! www.kcl.ac.uk/news/spotlig... #HealthEquity

Missed out on a ticket for LSHTM’s Health Misinformation UNPACKED? Our event is proving so popular we’ve released EXTRA online tickets so more people can learn how to fight dangerous health #misinformation! Get your ticket👉 www.lshtm.ac.uk/newsevents/e...

In this article, a Senior Healthcare Laboratory Scientist, reflects on a recent leadership development workshop that we ran in the UK, bringing together public health leaders from Nigeria, Zambia, and the Gambia. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/strengthening-global-health-through-leadership-j35we/

We're reminding people that vaginal oestrogen may ease symptoms associated with the menopause, such as dryness, irritation and discomfort during sex while also cutting down frequent UTIs. 💧✨ 🔗 https://t.co/T9Sz3GyjWq https://t.co/LsLLbUDIY7

👩‍⚕️ Are you a healthcare professional working with parents? Almost 1 in 5 children have missed their pre-school booster. Use our data dashboard to see local vaccination coverage and identify where to focus your efforts on supporting uptake. 🔗 ukhsa-dashboard.data.gov.uk/cover/childhood-vaccinations

Are you a UK hospital-based clinician? We’d be grateful if you could complete this short survey on the UKHSA Imported Fever Service 24/7 telephone advice line (whether you have used the service or not) ☎️ Complete the survey here: https://forms.office.com/e/Q6YdPtLXUG 🥼

ICYMI: From January 2026, a free #chickenpox vaccination programme will protect around half a million children each year. Eligible children will get an #MMRV vaccine to protect against #measles, #mumps, #rubella and chickenpox. Read the full story here: https://bit.ly/4lZ14Bp

We've published our latest bi-weekly data on #COVID19 ▶ Activity remains stable this week at baseline levels 🔽 Overall weekly hospital admission rate slightly decreased Full report 🔗 https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/national-flu-and-covid-19-surveillance-reports-2025-to-2026-season

Stuart Dollow will join UKHSA’s Advisory Board as a non-executive member for 3 years from 1 September 2025. Stuart is the founder of Vermilion Life Sciences. He is a registered physician with extensive experience in medicines development in the pharmaceutical industry.

🔊 Last week the Naked Scientists spoke to UKHSA's Colin Brown about how we can tackle #AMR through science and policy. Hear the whole programme here: www.thenakedscientists.com/podcasts/nak...

In this article, Tanu Soni, Capacity Strengthening Officer in our UK-Public Health Rapid Support Team (UK-PHRST), reflects on how a peer learning approach is equipping teams to handle outbreak responses 🌍 https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/beyond-technical-skills-how-peer-learning-transforming-m1ore/

We've announced a £1.3m programme to evaluate how wastewater monitoring could help detect a wide range of dangerous pathogens 🔬 https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ukhsa-launches-development-programme-for-wastewater-monitoring-techniques-which-could-catch-pandemic-threats-early

The UKHSA and @lshtm.bsky.social’s UK Public Health Rapid Support Team worked with the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN) to deliver a 3-day training event in Trinidad, expanding regional public health emergency response capacity in the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA).

Oropouche virus is a lesser-known tropical infection that’s been spreading across Central and South America in recent years. It's carried by midges, although not those found in the UK or wider Europe. Full details in our travel health news story: www.gov.uk/government/n...