🟠⚠ Amber heat-health alerts have been issued to the health systems across central England until 27 May, with yellow alerts covering the rest of the country. You can check the latest alerts and guidance through the early warning system here: 🔗 ukhsa-dashboard.data.gov.uk/weather-health-alerts

If you are travelling to Saudi Arabia for Hajj, check the latest advice on the Travel Health Pro website in advance 🕋 🔗 https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/factsheet/19/hajj-and-umrah

🌿🦠 Our first One Health surveillance report of vector-borne diseases (VBD) in England shows: 📊 Lyme disease remains the most common VBD 🦟 Emerging mosquito threats are increasing across Europe While risk to the public remains low, taking precautions matters Read full report https://bit.ly/3Py2hFy

Following the WHO’s declaration of a global health emergency for Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, the risk to the UK remains low. Our latest blog explains the disease, including its symptoms, how it spreads, and how we respond.

🚨🧪 Our UK Public Health Rapid Support Team has deployed a fully functioning mobile laboratory to one of the world’s most remote locations to support the hantavirus outbreak response. Read our blog post for the full story 🔗 https://bit.ly/4wxnlwo

We are currently working with partners to manage a small cluster of meningitis cases in the Reading area. Meningitis is a serious illness - knowing the symptoms can save lives: https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2025/10/31/what-is-meningitis-symptoms-risks-and-how-to-protect-yourself/

We have a dedicated blog post with information on the hantavirus outbreak linked to the Dutch cruise ship, which we are regularly updating. 🔗Full details here: https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2026/05/12/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-hantavirus-outbreak-linked-to-the-dutch-cruise-ship/ 🧪

We are regularly updating our blog post on the hantavirus outbreak. Read it here: https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2026/05/05/what-is-hantavirus-how-is-it-transmitted-and-what-are-the-symptoms/

We are working closely with international partners to respond to the outbreak of hantavirus linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship. The latest information is in our news story: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ukhsa-update-on-the-hantavirus-cruise-ship-outbreak

Later in the year, we’ll be kicking off our conference in Manchester, bringing together the health security community for 2 days of cutting‑edge science. 🧪🐝 📅 Tuesday 22 and Wednesday 23 September 2026 🌐 Find more info: 🔗 https://www.conference.ukhsa.gov.uk/

Malaria is a serious illness spread by mosquitoes – and you can catch it from a single bite.🦟 Malaria is common in many tropical parts of the world, so it's worth visiting TravelHealthPro to check country‑specific advice before you go: https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/ #WorldMalariaDay

📰 The UK's largest ever real-world study into RSV vaccination has confirmed that babies born to vaccinated mothers are up to 85% less likely to end up in hospital with an RSV chest infection. Thanks to all the NHS health professionals who deliver this vital programme 👏

Last week, UKHSA’s WHO Collaborating Centre for Diphtheria co-hosted an international symposium with colleagues from the Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority (LGL). Global experts came together to share the latest science on diphtheria - from diagnostics & immunity to vaccines & genomics.🧪

🆕 You might have seen news stories reporting 3 confirmed cases of meningitis (MenB) in Dorset. 💊 All have received treatment and are recovering well. Close contacts of the cases have already been offered antibiotics as a precaution. ℹ️ This strain is not linked to the recent outbreak in Kent

You have just over one week left to submit your abstract for UKHSA Conference 2026. 🔍📄 Find full details, including abstract guidance and submission instructions, on our conference website. www.conference.ukhsa.gov.uk

Our latest data shows chronic hepatitis C cases in England have dropped 61% since 2015: from 129,000 to around 50,200 adults in 2024. Among people who inject drugs, infection rates have fallen from 28.6% in 2015 to 5.2% in 2024.

🆕 All adults aged 75+ including over 80s and people living in a care home for older adults, are now eligible for the RSV vaccine, following the expansion of the programme to around 3 million more people.

🫵🧑‍🔬 We're inviting abstract submissions for the UKHSA Conference 2026, which returns to Manchester in September, bringing together the health security community for 2 days. 🔍📄 Find full details here🔗 https://www.conference.ukhsa.gov.uk/event/73c514fd-bf35-44f2-ab2e-49552a362b52/sumbit-an-abstract

🦟📰 Our latest data shows that in returning travellers, chikungunya, a mosquito-borne illness that can cause severe joint and muscle pain, rose 43% in 2025 compared to 2024. (1/2) 🔗 Find the full news story here: https://bit.ly/3PvZLPM

Today we have published a technical primer on meningococcal carriage and invasive disease. You may find it useful if you are working in infectious disease, public health, or vaccination. 🔗 https://www.gov.uk/guidance/meningococcal-carriage-and-infection-technical-background

🆕 Latest on the meningitis outbreak in Kent: We’ve worked with academic experts to produce a new technical briefing. Early evidence and preliminary analyses provide strong reassurance that existing vaccinations and antibiotic treatments remain effective against this MenB strain.

We continue to investigate the meningitis outbreak in Kent. No new cases have been confirmed since yesterday’s update. For more practical information about MenB, including details on signs and symptoms, and who is eligible for antibiotics and vaccination, read our blog post. ⬇️🔗

Our latest blog post explains who is eligible for the MenB vaccine and why vaccination is being offered alongside preventative antibiotics in response to the meningitis outbreak in Kent. 🔗 https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2026/03/20/who-is-eligible-for-the-menb-vaccine-and-do-i-need-it-myself/

Kent meningitis outbreak latest - eligibility for the MenB vaccine has been expanded. Keep up with the outbreak on our blog post. 🔗 https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2026/03/18/meningitis-b-outbreak-what-you-need-to-know/

Cases of invasive meningococcal disease have been confirmed in Kent. Sadly, 2 people are known to have died. It's important to know the signs of symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia. Get more info from NHS. 🔗 nhs.uk/conditions/meningitis

Cold chain failures mean that half of all vaccines don't reach the people who need them. A new clinical trial supported by UKHSA could help change that. Read more on our new blog post: https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2026/03/13/could-fridge-free-vaccines-transform-global-immunisation/

The midge that spreads Oropouche doesn't live in the UK, but studying it is part of how we prepare for future health threats. Read more in our new blog post, a case study from our Science Review 2025: 🔗 https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2026/03/09/staying-ahead-of-emerging-threats-insights-from-oropouche/

From breakthroughs in genomics 🧬 to advances in global health 🌎, our annual science review captures a year of progress and preparedness. Explore this snapshot of our scientific achievements 🚀🧪 Read the review here: https://bit.ly/4u9n81g #BSW26

Did you see these stories from some of our female scientists recently? On #InternationalWomensDay, we thought we would reshare them to celebrate the incredible contributions women make across UKHSA. 🔬🧪

🚨 We're delighted to invite applications to a #PhD studentship in real-time infectious disease modelling focusing on the early detection of pandemics with @lshtm.bsky.social @imperialcollegeldn.bsky.social & @ukhsa.bsky.social ✍️ Apply by 23 March Link 🔽 www.lshtm.ac.uk/study/fees-a...

Science is everywhere: in our bodies, our food, our classrooms. This #BritishScienceWeek, meet e-Bug: UKHSA's free health education programme, which helps teachers bring infection science to life from early years to KS3. Curious? Find out more at 🔗 https://www.e-bug.eu/british-science-week

The UKHSA Conference returns to Manchester on 22 and 23 September 2026. Join colleagues from across the health security community for cutting-edge science, innovative practice and inspiring discussion. 🧪🐝 Registration opens soon - hope to see you there! https://www.conference.ukhsa.gov.uk

🆕 #UKHSAVirusWatch: The latest flu, COVID-19 and RSV data from our weekly winter surveillance report. 🟢 Flu activity decreased and is circulating at baseline levels 🟣 COVID-19 activity was stable and is circulating at baseline levels 🔵 RSV activity decreased and is circulating at baseline levels

Last week, Professor Chris Whitty and Professor Susan Hopkins met with the President of the Public Health Agency of Canada, Nancy Hamzawi, to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This MOU will further strengthen our relationship and help us achieve our joint health security objectives.

Measles, mumps, and chickenpox are 3 viruses that can cause encephalitis, an uncommon but serious swelling of the brain. The MMRV vaccine protects you against all-3 of these viruses, as well as rubella. 🔴🧠 #Red4WED #WorldEncephalitisDay

It’sa me, Andi! 💊🕹️ Think visiting the Antibiotic Kingdom when you have a cold will make you peachy? Wrong, antibiotics don’t work against viral infections like colds and flu. 🍑❌

🆕 #UKHSAVirusWatch: The latest flu, COVID-19 and RSV data from our weekly winter surveillance report. 🟢 Flu, COVID-19 and RSV activity decreased and is circulating at baseline levels for each of the viruses. If you want even more detail, read the full report: https://bit.ly/4aOdfgS

🆕 We’re excited to announce the launch of a new government campaign urging parents and guardians to get their little ones vaccinated to protect against serious illnesses such as measles. 🔗 nhs.uk/childhoodvaccinations #StayStrongGetVaccinated

🆕 #UKHSAVirusWatch: The latest flu, COVID-19 and RSV data from our weekly winter surveillance report. 🟢 Flu activity decreased and is circulating at low levels

We've seen an increase in cases of mpox over recent months, but levels remain much lower than during the 2022 outbreak. For those who are eligible, the mpox vaccine is available routinely along with other vaccines such as 4CMenB for gonorrhoea , HepA, HepB and HPV.

🆕 Norovirus data: activity remains high but has stabilised in recent weeks 🔗 Full report: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/national-norovirus-and-rotavirus-surveillance-reports-2025-to-2026-season

The Food Standards Agency (@foodgov.bsky.social) is reminding people to take care when handling raw pet food, following a survey that found some products can contain harmful bacteria that could make pets and their owners ill. Read the story here: https://bit.ly/3Zo4BAl

Andi Biotic (Team UKHSA) and Bryn Biotig (Team Public Health Wales) are tackling antimicrobial resistance together at the Antibiotix Nations. 🏟️🙌Here's what the fans are chanting on the stands: 💊🎵 Don’t take them for colds or flu 💊🎵 Don’t save them for later 💊🎵Take as directed #SixNations

MRSA = Methicillin‑resistant Staphylococcus aureus. 📖🔡 Staphylococcus (staph) are the bacteria behind common infections like impetigo, conjunctivitis and boils. One strain has evolved into MRSA, a well known example of the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance. #AMR

⚠️ Burkholderia found in certain wipes. Burkholderia are bacteria that rarely cause harm in healthy people but sometimes cause serious infections, particularly for those with certain medical conditions or managing IV lines at home: https://bit.ly/3Hhq4W4

🆕 #UKHSAVirusWatch: The latest flu, COVID-19 and RSV data from our weekly winter surveillance report. 🟢 Flu activity decreased and is circulating at low levels

📰🆕 Our latest data shows cases of Shigella and Salmonella linked to travel to Cape Verde, a popular winter sun destination. As many UK residents prepare for half-term holidays, we share advice on how to avoid gastrointestinal infections.

🆕 Norovirus data: norovirus activity has remained high in recent weeks, particularly in adults aged 65 years and over. 🔗 Read the full report here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/national-norovirus-and-rotavirus-surveillance-reports-2025-to-2026-season

We are current investigating Shigella cases linked to travel to Cape Verde. Regular handwashing with soap and water (especially after the toilet, changing nappies, and before handling food) is the best way to prevent the bacteria from spreading.

From 1 April 2026, the RSV vaccination programme will extend eligibility to: 🧓 Adults aged 80 years and over 🏠 All residents in older adult care homes, regardless of age