Health officials across Europe and the United Kingdom are issuing urgent warnings regarding a surge in various infectious diseases, ranging from mosquito-borne viruses to foodborne illnesses and declining vaccination rates. Travelers and residents alike are urged to take increased precautions amidst these growing public health concerns.

A notable concern is the rise of mosquito-borne diseases. France is currently experiencing an early outbreak of Chikungunya, with eight local cases detected, prompting fears that climate change is making mosquitoes more at home in European climates. This virus, typically found in tropical regions, causes severe body pains and can lead to organ damage. Concurrently, Europe has seen a significant increase in dengue cases, with 304 local cases last year, more than double the figures from 2023. West Nile virus is also surging, with 1,436 human cases reported across 19 European countries in 2024. For those traveling to affected areas, authorities advise applying mosquito repellent, wearing long sleeves and trousers, especially at dawn and dusk, and sleeping under bed nets or in screened/air-conditioned rooms. Additionally, public health guidance includes covering or emptying water containers where mosquitoes breed. Experts warn that invasive mosquito species are gradually moving north, potentially establishing self-sustaining populations in the UK, which has already reported a record 904 imported dengue cases in 2024.

Food safety is another critical area of concern, with several outbreaks of foodborne illnesses. Recent inspections of ready-to-eat salad bags have revealed contamination with Toxoplasma gondii oocysts in at least four percent of samples, a parasite that can cause severe neurological and respiratory complications, and is particularly dangerous for pregnant women. These salads, often labeled as washed and ready-to-eat, are not systematically tested for such parasites, increasing consumer risk, especially since they are consumed raw. Furthermore, a type of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), linked to contaminated butterhead lettuce in ready-meal sandwiches, has caused over 280 illnesses, resulting in nine cases of kidney failure and three deaths in the UK. This dangerous strain has seen an almost tenfold increase in England over seven years, driven by factors like climate change and increased consumption of susceptible foods like lettuce. Health advice includes thorough washing of salads, proper cold storage, and awareness that lettuce's texture makes it prone to retaining bacteria. Beyond E. coli, salmonella cases surged by almost a fifth in 2024, reaching over 10,000 cases—the highest in a decade. Campylobacter, another common foodborne pathogen, also increased by 17.1 percent in 2024. Both can lead to severe dehydration and sepsis. Public health bodies emphasize strict adherence to food safety measures, including adequate chilling, proper cooking temperatures, maintaining clean preparation surfaces, and avoiding cross-contamination. Meanwhile, Hepatitis A, known as 'dirty hands disease' due to its faecal-oral transmission, is sweeping across Europe, with 2,097 cases and nine deaths reported this year across countries like Slovakia, Hungary, Austria, and the Czech Republic. The UK is also tracking a mystery spike, with 95 cases linked to an unnamed food item. Vaccination is recommended for travelers to high-risk areas.

Compounding these challenges is the concerning decline in measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination uptake in England. Nearly half of children in some areas, particularly in London, are not fully protected by age five. Nationally, only 85.2 percent of five-year-olds have received both MMR doses, significantly below the 95 percent target needed for herd immunity. This low coverage is directly contributing to a spike in measles cases, with the UK recording the highest number of infections since 2012 last year, and 420 confirmed cases in England this year alone. Measles is a highly infectious and serious disease that can lead to life-threatening complications like meningitis or pneumonia, with one in five infected children requiring hospitalization. The World Health Organization has reported that measles cases in Europe doubled in 2024, issuing a