Meningitis cases in Dorset: what you need to know Three young people in Weymouth, Dorset have been confirmed to have meningitis B, known as MenB. All-three individuals have received treatment and are recovering well. These cases are not linked to the...

📰🔗 Find out the latest information in our blog post:
ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2026/04/17/m...

An image of a teenage holding a phone, the overlaid text reads: Meningitis cases in Dorset: What you need to know

🆕 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

Promotional graphic for the UKHSA Conference 2026. The top section shows the UK Health Security Agency logo and a banner with the website “conference.ukhsa.gov.uk”. Below, large text reads “UKHSA Conference 2026 – Call for abstracts.” The background features an image of a person looking into a microscope. Additional text explains that the conference welcomes high‑quality scientific and public health research submissions from UKHSA colleagues and external partners. Dates shown include: submission deadline Tuesday 28 April at 23:59 GMT; review period Wednesday 29 April to Tuesday 9 June; and author notifications in mid‑ to late‑June.

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

Hepatitis C infections in people who inject drugs continue to fall New report highlights continued progress in eliminating hepatitis C in England.

📰🔗 Read the full news story:
www.gov.uk/government/n...

People who inject drugs now or in the past are particularly at risk, this is especially the case if they have shared or re-used needles and syringes. This decline in cases reflects the impact of expanded testing initiatives and sustained access to treatment.

Dr Monica Desai, Head of the Hepatitis Section at the UKHSA, said: We are making significant progress towards eliminating hepatitis C. The sharp fall in cases since 2015 shows the impact of expanded testing and sustained access to modern curative treatments and the commitment of health services and community partners across England. While the number of people living with the virus continues to decline, it remains vital that those most at risk are offered testing, can access life-saving treatments, and receive the support needed to prevent new infections.

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.

NHS England » Millions of older people to get vaccine against serious lung infection NHS England » Millions of older people to get vaccine against serious lung infection

🔗📰 Read the full news story from NHS England:
www.england.nhs.uk/2026/04/mill...

💉🔍 Get protected through your GP surgery, in care homes, or at some community pharmacies.

Text reads: From April 2026, the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine is available free on the NHS for: - adults aged 75 or over - older adults living in a care home Image depicts: The image features an older couple standing close together and smiling warmly at the camera.

Conall Watson, Consultant Epidemiologist, RSV lead at UKHSA said: “RSV lung infection is less well known than COVID or flu but for older adults it can be particularly dangerous and puts thousands in hospital each year with a risk to life. New evidence today from the UK public health agencies shows the vaccine cuts your risk of being hospitalised by around 75% – so it’s great news that the vaccine is now available to everyone aged 75 and over, including all those aged over 80. And we also know that the RSV vaccine for pregnant women is providing excellent protection to newborn babies. If you’re eligible, be sure to take up the offer and get the best protection possible against a nasty case of RSV pneumonia.”

🆕 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.

Promotional graphic for the UKHSA Conference 2026. The top section shows the UK Health Security Agency logo and a banner with the website “conference.ukhsa.gov.uk”. Below, large text reads “UKHSA Conference 2026 – Call for abstracts.” The background features an image of a person looking into a microscope. Additional text explains that the conference welcomes high‑quality scientific and public health research submissions from UKHSA colleagues and external partners. Dates shown include: submission deadline Tuesday 28 April at 23:59 GMT; review period Wednesday 29 April to Tuesday 9 June; and author notifications in mid‑ to late‑June.

🫵🧑‍🔬 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🔗 www.conference.ukhsa.gov.uk/event/73c514fd-bf35-44f2...

Dr Philip Veal, Consultant in Public Health at UKHSA said, 'For some people chikungunya can be a prolonged and nasty disease and we continue to see cases in travellers returning to the UK, particularly from parts of Asia and the Indian Ocean region. While this mosquito-borne infection is rarely fatal, it can cause severe joint and muscle pain, headaches, sensitivity to light and skin rashes. Thankfully, symptoms usually improve within a few weeks, but joint pain may last for months or longer. So, it is essential to take precautions against mosquito bites when travelling.'

✈️ Traveling abroad? Simple steps such as using a DEET based insect repellent, covering-up your skin and sleeping under insecticide-treated bed nets, can greatly reduce the risk. (2/2)

🧳 For the latest advice on your destination, visit travelhealthpro.org

Graphic with a blue sky and mountain landscape background. An airplane appears in the top right corner. Large text reads: 'Travelling abroad this Easter? UKHSA urges travellers to take precautions as chikungunya cases reach 10‑year high.'

🦟📰 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

Illustration of Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcus) under a microscope

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.

🔗 www.gov.uk/guidance/meningococcal-c...

Cases of invasive meningococcal disease notified in Kent Latest updates from the ongoing outbreak.

📰🔗 Read the full news story:
www.gov.uk/government/n...

Professor Robin May, Chief Scientific Officer at the UK Health Security Agency, said: This preliminary analysis offers strong reassurance that our existing vaccinations and antibiotic treatment offer will be effective against this strain. In collaboration with the research community, we will continue intensive laboratory investigations of the strain to determine how the spread of the outbreak may have been influenced by the bacterial strain, social or environmental conditions, and population immunity.

🆕 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.

Cases of invasive meningococcal disease notified in Kent Latest updates from the ongoing outbreak.

Find the latest information in our news story:
📰🔗 www.gov.uk/government/n...

Meningitis outbreak: what you need to know There is currently an outbreak of meningococcal disease (MenB) in Kent. This blog post includes information on MenB and this outbreak, what to do if you are affected and where you can get antibiotics ...

ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2026/03/18/m...

ukhsa.blog.gov.uk For more information about MenB, including details on signs and symptoms, and who is eligible for antibiotics and vaccination, read our blog post: Meningitis outbreak: what you need to know

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. ⬇️🔗

Who is currently eligible for the MenB vaccine? close contacts of those who are confirmed or suspected to have meningococcal disease students at the University of Kent who are normally resident on the Canterbury Campus, including those who may have now travelled home. Some staff living or working in these Halls of Residence have also been offered preventative antibiotics and are eligible for vaccination students who attend other universities in Canterbury, living in halls of residence or off‑campus locations where there has been a case, and have been advised to take an antibiotic due to a close contact by UKHSA sixth form students (years 12 and 13) attending a secondary school or sixth form college in Kent where there has been a confirmed or probable case of meningococcal disease informed by local risk assessment anyone who visited or was working at Club Chemistry in Canterbury between 5 March and 15 March, when the venue closed voluntarily

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.
🔗 ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2026/03/20/who-is-eligib...

Who is being offered the MenB vaccine? The MenB vaccination offer has been extended and is now available to: everyone who has been offered preventative antibiotic treatment as part of this outbreak 6th form students (years 12 and 13) in schools and colleges in Kent where confirmed or probable cases are identified. These students will also be offered antibiotics

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

Trish Mannes, UKHSA Regional Deputy Director for the South East “We understand that many people at the university and in the wider community will be affected by this sad news and we would like to offer our condolences to the friends and family involved. Students and staff will understandably be feeling worried about the risk of further cases; however, we would like to reassure them that close contacts of cases have been given antibiotics as a precautionary measure. Advice and support is being offered to the wider student community, and to local hospitals and NHS 111, and we’re monitoring the situation closely.”

Here is the latest statement from our Regional Deputy Director for the South East, Trish Mannes on the current situation.
📰🔗 Find the full news story here:
www.gov.uk/government/n...

MENINGITIS SYMPTOMS: fever a very bad headache (this alone is not a reason to get medical help) being sick stiff neck dislike of bright lights rash (DO NOT wait for a rash to appear before seeking medical advice) confusion, delirium severe sleepiness, losing consciousness SEPTICAEMIA SYMPTOMS: fever and shivering severe pains and aches in limbs and joints cold hands and feet pale or blotchy skin very rapid or difficulty breathing diarrhoea, stomach cramps red or purple “blood spots” or blotchy rash on skin that does not fade under pressure – do the GLASS TEST. On dark skin, check other places such as the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, inside the mouth (roof), and the whites of the eyes confusion, delirium severe sleepiness, losing consciousness If you become worried about yourself, your child, or a friend, particularly if symptoms are getting worse, seek medical help urgently. EARLY TREATMENT CAN BE LIFE-SAVING.

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

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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: ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2026/03/13/could-fridge-...

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:
🔗 ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2026/03/09/staying-ahead...

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

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A person stands against a colourful background with abstract shapes and holds a printed photo of an elephant next to two people outdoors. Text at the top reads: ‘Dr Alicia Demirjian – Consultant Epidemiologist and Clinical Lead for Antimicrobial Resistance and Prescribing.’ A yellow text box at the bottom contains a message encouraging curiosity, asking questions, striving for excellence, working hard, and enjoying the journey as well as the destination.

A person stands against a green and blue illustrated background with science-themed icons and holds a printed photo of a child wearing a purple dress and standing outdoors. Text on the left reads: ‘Dr Marie Chattaway – Unit Head of Gastrointestinal bacteria reference unit.’ A yellow text box at the bottom contains a message about discovering a career in microbiology, being open to opportunities, exploring, asking questions, learning from failure, being brave enough to try, and moving forward without needing to have everything figured out.

A person stands against a bright blue and green illustrated background with science-themed icons and holds a printed photograph of a child wearing a dress and standing outdoors. A yellow text box on the left displays the name ‘Oyebimpe Balogun’ with the title ‘International Health Regulations Strengthening Project, Nigeria – Technical Adviser for Laboratory Systems.’ A larger yellow text box at the bottom contains a message describing an early visit to a bottling company in Sokoto, Nigeria, observing young people performing quality control tests, and how this experience inspired a future career in laboratory science. The message encourages determination, resilience, and transforming obstacles into stepping stones toward success.

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...

1/ A child in a lab coat holding a stick with a sweet on it. Text reads: ‘Spark curiosity this British Science Week’. Download free teaching resources at e-bug.eu’

2/ A close-up of hands glowing green against a dark blue background. Text reads: ‘what if every surface showed glowing fingerprints? Download free teaching resources at e-bug.eu’

3/ A close-up of a blue and white capsule with nothing inside it. Text reads: ‘what if antibiotics stopped working? Download free teaching resources at e-bug.eu’

4/ A blue background with white text reading ‘at e-bug.eu every week is science week’

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

Street-level view of Manchester Central with its large arched roof and clock, surrounded by modern high-rise buildings. A yellow tram passes in front under a cloudy sky

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

An infographic from the UK Health Security Agency titled “Positive tests (%) for flu.” It features a line chart showing the rolling 7‑day flu test positivity rate in England from February 2025 to 22 February 2026. A label at the bottom reads: “Data from: 24 February 2025 – 22 February 2026.” The source is SGSS, England only.

An infographic from the UK Health Security Agency titled “Positive tests (%) for COVID‑19.” It includes a line chart showing the rolling 7‑day positivity rate in England from February 2025 to 22 February 2026. A label at the bottom reads: “Data from: 24 February 2025 – 22 February 2026.” The source is USD, England only, with the data described as a rolling 7‑day positivity rate.

An infographic from the UK Health Security Agency titled “Weekly positive tests (%) for RSV.” It shows a line chart tracking the weekly percentage of positive RSV tests in England from February 2025 to 22 February 2026. A label at the bottom reads: “Data from: 24 February 2025 – 22 February 2026.” The source is the Respiratory DataMart System, England only.

An infographic from the UK Health Security Agency titled “Virus watch,” summarising hospitalisations and positive test percentages for flu, COVID‑19, and RSV for the week 16 to 22 February 2026. A footer reads: “Data from: 16 February to 22 February 2026.” The source is the National flu and COVID‑19 surveillance report.

🆕 #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