Warning over uptick in terrifying Zika virus that causes brain damage – Britons are bringing it back from popular beach destinations

Britons traveling to holiday destinations this summer have been urged to beware amid fears they could bring back a brain-damaging disease.

Officials from the UK Health Safety Agency (UKHSA) today warned that cases of Zika virus are rising rapidly.

Zika is a disease that is usually transmitted after being bitten by an infected mosquito, but in rare cases it can also be transmitted sexually.

Although some symptoms are similar to fever, such as high fever, headache, pain in the eyes, joint swelling, and rash, they can also be much more severe.

Pregnant women are urged to protect themselves against the virus because the infection can trigger serious brain damage, especially in developing fetuses.

Health officials are now sounding the alarm because nine cases have already been reported in England this year, surpassing the seven cases recorded in the whole of 2025.

It is feared that Britons flying abroad will bring the disease, for which there is currently no vaccine, with them to the UK.

The most frequently reported exposure location was Indonesia with four cases, followed by Thailand with two cases.

Compared to previous years, there appears to be a large increase in Zika cases linked to Indonesia.

Between 2014 and 2025, only one travel-associated Zika case was reported in the UK, compared to four cases this year.

Individual cases of Zika exposure were also linked to travel to Malaysia, the Maldives, and Singapore.

Since there is no vaccine for Zika, experts say it is best protected by avoiding mosquito bites.

But this isn’t the only travel-related illness that concerns health officials.

The UKHSA’s warning also highlights ongoing cases of chikungunya, dengue, malaria and enteric fever.

A total of 59 cases of chikungunya were reported between January and June 2026, with the highest number of infections occurring in Sri Lanka.

Chikungunya is notorious for causing fever, muscle aches, headaches, fatigue, and rashes, as well as intense joint pain that can cause sufferers to bend over.

Although most people recover within days or weeks, some continue to suffer from debilitating joint pain or arthritis for months or even years.

In rare cases, the virus can affect the eyes, brain, heart or digestive system.

Serious illness is rare, but older adults and people with underlying health problems are at higher risk of serious complications, sometimes fatal.

Meanwhile, 557 cases of malaria were recorded in England, Wales and Northern Ireland between January and May.

Malaria is usually found in tropical regions, including large areas of Africa and Asia, Central and South America, and parts of the Middle East.

According to the World Health Organization, it is one of the world’s biggest killers, claiming the life of a child every two minutes.

Most of these deaths occur in Africa, where 250,000 young people die from the disease every year.

But death can be almost completely prevented if antimalarial tablets are taken correctly.

In addition to high fever, sweating, chills and headaches, abdominal pain, loss of appetite and muscle aches are also symptoms of the disease.

According to the NHS, it can cause children to feel very tired and sleepy, and infected people can experience yellow skin, a sore throat and difficulty breathing.

The NHS recommends that anyone traveling to an area where malaria occurs gets advice from a GP, nurse, pharmacist or travel clinic before going.

Dengue cases also continued to rise throughout the spring and summer, reaching the highest monthly total in 2026 in June.

Most people with dengue fever experience flu-like symptoms such as high fever, headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint aches, nausea, swollen glands, and rash.

But it can also develop into severe dengue fever, which can cause intense abdominal pain, constant vomiting, rapid breathing, and blood in vomit or stool.

Elsewhere, cases of travel-related enteric fever, also known as typhoid fever, reached 287 between January and June.

Typhoid fever is a bacterial disease that can be caught by drinking dirty water or contaminated food.

Although it is typically found in Asia, Africa, Central America and South America, most people living in Britain who have caught it have recently traveled to India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Although there is a vaccine available on the NHS, typhoid fever can be extremely serious.

Typhoid, known as ‘bleeding disease’, is a bacterial disease that can cause serious and fatal complications if not treated quickly.

Milder symptoms include high fever, headache, chills, pain and constipation, and sometimes rashes.

But more serious symptoms include internal bleeding or ruptured organs.

It is caused by a type of salmonella bacteria that is usually spread through food and water contaminated with the urine or feces of an infected person.

If not treated quickly, it can even lead to death; He could famously kill Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria.

UKHSA consultant epidemiologist and head of travel health Dr. Hilary Kirkbride said: ‘Summer is a popular time to travel; Don’t let illnesses ruin your holiday. Good preparation and planning is important for a safe and enjoyable trip.

‘Check the TravelHealthPro website for the latest health advice for your destination, including what vaccinations you may need and important medicines such as antimalarial tablets.

‘To protect against mosquito-borne infections, use insect repellent, cover exposed skin and sleep under a treated mosquito net when necessary. Be sure to take good food and water hygiene precautions for enteric fever and other stomach bugs.

‘Even if you’ve visited a country before, you don’t have the same level of natural protection against infections as permanent residents, so it’s important to take precautions whenever you travel.

‘There are special precautions you need to take if you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant; So please check with a doctor, nurse or local travel clinic before planning your trip.’