UKHSA Unveils Groundbreaking Vector-Borne Disease Surveillance Report

Vector-Borne Disease Surveillance is critical as the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), alongside the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), has released its first annual report on this pressing issue. The report highlights the significance of a One Health approach, integrating human, animal, and vector data over the upcoming years to present a thorough understanding of the evolving risks associated with vector-borne diseases in England. Additionally, the agency has refreshed its National contingency plans regarding invasive Aedes mosquitoes and the West Nile virus in partnership with Defra. The annual report reveals that Lyme disease continues to be the most frequently acquired vector-borne infection in England, with 1,168 laboratory-confirmed acute cases recorded in 2025. This number represents an increase from 2024, which had 959 cases, and is quite similar to the 1,151 cases reported in 2023. The agency has observed substantial fluctuations in Lyme disease rates over recent years, yet the patterns seen in 2025 align with historical data. While tick distribution is increasing across the UK, fluctuations in tick population are influenced by various factors such as weather patterns, climate changes, habitat modifications, and host population dynamics. Although tick bites can happen throughout the year, they generally peak in late Spring, especially reaching their highest count in June, with Lyme disease cases showing a similar seasonal trend that peaks in late summer. These statistics underscore the importance of the public adopting simple preventive measures to avoid tick bites and recognizing symptoms after outdoor activities. Should you get bitten by a tick, it’s crucial to remove it promptly using a tick removal tool or fine-tipped tweezers, following the product instructions carefully. The report further indicates the identification of two unrelated probable cases of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) complex in 2025, neither of which involved international travel. This brings the total number of locally acquired human cases to six since TBE was first discovered in the UK in 2019. Diagnosing TBE complex can be challenging as tests may not differentiate between TBE and louping ill virus (LIV), which are closely related. Despite no locally acquired mosquito-borne infections reported in England, the findings highlight a rising threat from mosquito-borne viruses such as West Nile virus and Usutu virus. For the first time in the UK, West Nile virus was identified in mosquito samples collected in 2023, while Usutu virus, now endemic among mosquitoes and birds in southeast England, was also detected in wild birds in Scotland during 2025. European trends indicate an increasing risk of transmission for various mosquito-borne diseases. France, during 2025, faced its largest outbreaks of West Nile virus, including incidents in northern regions and urban Paris. The Aedes albopictus mosquito, responsible for transmitting dengue and chikungunya viruses, is now found in 16 European nations, with 2025 marking a record number of locally acquired chikungunya cases in Europe, following an unprecedented spike in dengue fever cases in 2024. Professor Lea BerrangFord, Deputy Director at UKHSA’s Centre for Climate & Health Security, stated: "The overall risk to the public from vector-borne diseases in England remains low, but this report illustrates how risk factors are changing due to climate change, urban development, and the globalization of trade and travel. We are observing mosquito-borne infection cases being reported regularly across Europe, while the UK continues to detect invasive mosquitoes at entry points. Therefore, sustaining robust surveillance is essential for maintaining biosecurity. The launch of this first One Health report, along with our invasive mosquito and West Nile virus plans, signifies our collaborative efforts across human, animal, and environmental health sectors to monitor emerging threats and keep the UK well-prepared for responses." Dr. Arran Folly, Head of APHA's Vector-Borne RADAR project, reiterated that "Mosquitoes and ticks do more than just inconvenience; they depict early warning signs for emerging disease threats. The APHA’s surveillance initiatives enable us to comprehend the evolving risks across Great Britain and identify potential new hotspots. By uniting expertise across animal, environmental, and public health disciplines under a One Health strategy, we can detect threats early, enhance preparedness, and safeguard both human and animal populations from emerging vector-borne diseases." The updated National contingency plan for invasive Aedes mosquitoes in England replaces the 2020 version and now includes measures to manage established Aedes populations and local dengue and chikungunya virus transmissions. Given that temperatures in southeast England are already conducive for the survival of these mosquitoes, the plan is directed at assisting Local Authorities in identifying their roles in vector management to mitigate invasive Aedes mosquito activity. It outlines necessary environmental and public health interventions based on risk levels from 0 to 4. Additionally, the updated West Nile Virus plan, which supersedes the one from 2004, aims to reduce the virus's risk to both animals and humans in England while detailing action plans if the virus is detected. For more information, visit the UK Government website on Health Security. You can also learn more from the World Health Organization's vector-borne diseases page. Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ukhsa-and-partners-publish-first-one-health-annual-vector-borne-disease-surveillance-report

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