With tuberculosis (TB) on the rise again, how can we prevent further spread?
On World TB Day 2025, we look at the most recent data, which showed a rise of 13% in reported numbers of cases in England between 2023 and 2024.
Health Protection
Posts about the work of the Health Protection directorate
Changes to health protection notification regulations (NOIDs)
From 6 April 2025, we’re expanding the list of pathogens that Registered Medical Professionals and laboratories in England must notify us about. The changes will strengthen local and national surveillance and support a prompt response to outbreaks of infectious diseases. …
What is cryptosporidium, and how can you avoid it in the water or on the farm?
Cryptosporidium [pronounced krip-toe-spuh-RID-ee-um] is a microscopic parasite that can cause an unpleasant – and sometimes dangerous – illness called cryptosporidiosis. This nasty bug lives in the intestines of infected humans and animals and is passed out in their poo. It …
How to stay safe from infections carried by animals when visiting a farm
Visiting a farm is an enjoyable and educational experience for the whole family, but it carries a risk of infection from animals or the environment. Farm animals may carry germs that can be passed from animals to humans and cause …
What is Lyme disease and why do we need to be tick-aware?
To help you stay safe this spring and summer, we've compiled a guide to protecting yourself from tick-borne infections. In this blog, you'll learn how to avoid tick bites, how to recognise the signs and symptoms of Lyme disease and TBE and when to seek medical assistance.
How we protect the UK from vector-borne diseases
In this blog post, we take a look at the current status of vector-borne diseases in the UK, as well as the vital work being carried out by our specialist entomology team to assess, understand and address the health threats that mosquitoes and ticks pose.
How GPs help us monitor the spread of flu and the effectiveness of vaccines
Established in 1957, the Royal College of GPs Research and Surveillance Centre is one of Europe's oldest general practice sentinel networks. It is an active research and surveillance unit that collects and monitors data from over 2000 practices across England and Wales.
The RCGP collaborates with the University of Oxford, and UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) in the running of the RSC, and in this blog we will explore the importance of surveillance data how it underpins our understanding of our health across the nation.
Syphilis: get tested, get treated
This blog covers the risk factors for syphilis, its signs and symptoms, and how it can be prevented.
How the team monitoring new and emerging infectious diseases could help prevent the next pandemic
In this blog, Dr Mike Reynolds, Principal Scientist within the Emerging Infections and Zoonoses team, dives into the daily work he and his colleagues do to keep you safe.
UKHSA’s asymptomatic avian influenza surveillance programme
This blog post explains what UKHSA’s asymptomatic avian influenza surveillance programme is and how it works.