How do you catch genital herpes and is there a cure?
Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). It is a common cause of genital sores in England.
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Detecting the invisible: how we uncovered the Brixham cryptosporidium outbreak
Outbreaks of cryptosporidium linked to drinking water are, thankfully, very rare. It's probably a once-in-a-decade event. So, when one began to emerge in Brixham in 2024, it presented us with a genuinely unusual and significant challenge - one that tested …
What is syphilis? A quick guide to its symptoms and treatment
Many people think of syphilis as a disease of the past - something confined to history books rather than a present-day concern. The data tells a very different story. In 2025, more than 8000 cases of infectious syphilis were diagnosed …
What is West Nile virus and is it found in the UK?
West Nile virus (WNV) is a virus spread primarily through the bites of infected mosquitoes. It belongs to the same family of viruses as dengue, yellow fever and Japanese encephalitis. The virus circulates naturally between birds and mosquitoes, and humans or horses can be infected when bitten by a mosquito that has previously fed on …
Behind-the-Scenes: Evacuation from St Helena and Ascension
When a serious infectious disease threat emerges anywhere in the world, the UK needs to be able to respond quickly. UKHSA plays a central role in that response, including through the government's medical evacuation arrangements, which allows us to safely repatriate those who may have been exposed to a high-consequence infectious disease. Here, Renu Bindra, …
What is tick-borne encephalitis virus and is it found in the UK?
Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is a viral infection that spreads through tick bites. Although it is common in many parts of the world, including several European countries, in the last few years, ticks carrying TBEV have been found in England.
What is Ebola and how does it spread?
Ebola disease is caused by a group of viruses, known as orthoebolaviruses. It affects both humans and animals and spreads through close contact with infected bodily fluids or contaminated materials. The disease was first identified in 1976 during outbreaks in …
Lab in a Bag: How we took diagnostics to the other side of the world during the hantavirus outbreak
Last week, 3 of our colleagues packed a fully functioning laboratory into a set of flight cases and boarded a plane to one of the most remote islands on Earth. Saint Helena, a UK Overseas Territory in the South Atlantic …
What you need to know about the hantavirus outbreak linked to the Dutch cruise ship
We are monitoring and providing public health advice about an outbreak of hantavirus linked to the Dutch cruise ship MV Hondius. Sadly, 3 foreign nationals have died in connection with the outbreak, however, the risk to the public is very low as hantavirus is not spread through everyday social contact.
What is hantavirus? How is it transmitted and what are the symptoms?
Hantaviruses are a group of viruses carried by rodents such as mice and rats, transmitted by their droppings and urine. Hantaviruses are present throughout the world. They can be found in some areas of Europe, Africa, Asia and South America. Where they are present, they can cause a range of diseases from mild, flu-like illness …