Please note that not all cases of disease or outbreaks are reported; some outbreaks may only be reported if they occur outside of the usual recognised risk area or season, or they have been reported in greater than usual numbers. See 'About Outbreaks' tab below for further detail.
For further information on red, amber and green alert categories, see About Outbreaks tab.
Chemical waste containing heavy metals in Zambia
As of 19 August 2025, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advised chemical waste containing heavy metals was released from a Copperbelt Province mine into the Chambish Stream and the Mwambashi and Kafue Rivers in February 2025. Exposure to heavy metal contaminants may affect health. As a precaution, bathing in rivers and streams near the Chambishi stream, and where these two rivers meet, should be avoided. Travellers should also avoid untreated locally sourced water or fish from this area (boiling water does not remove heavy metal contaminants) and seek medical attention if unwell.
Severe fever with thrombocytopaenia syndrome in Japan
On 7 August 2025 a confirmed case of Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) was reported in the city of Sapporo, Hokkaido. The likely area the infection was acquired was Ibaraki prefecture in the Kanto region. As of April 30, 2025, Japan had reported 12 cases of SFTS.
Malaria in Mayotte
As of 31 July 2025, a total of 12 locally acquired Plasmodium falciparum malaria cases have been reported in Mayotte in 2025. These are the first locally acquired cases of malaria in Mayotte since July 2020. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on malaria.
Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever in Spain
As of 13 August 2025, a total of three cases of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever have been reported in Spain in 2025. Two cases have been reported from Salamanca and one from Toledo. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever.
Cholera in Sudan
As of 14 August 2025, 99,700 suspected cholera cases and 2,470 deaths have been reported in Sudan since the start of the outbreak in July 2024. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on cholera.
Legionnaires' disease in USA
As of 8 August 2025, 83 cases and 3 associated deaths from Legionnaires' disease have been reported in Central Harlem, New York City.
Dengue in Italy
As of 5 August 2025, 111 confirmed cases of dengue (4 locally acquired) were reported. Two of the locally acquired cases have been identified in Emilia-Romagna and Veneto regions; further epidemiological investigations are in progress. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on dengue.
cVDPV2 in Germany
In the week ending 6 August 2025, eight circulating vaccine-derived polio virus type 2 (cVDPV2)-positive environmental samples were reported in Germany; one from Baden, three from Bayern, one from Rheinland, and three from Sachsen. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on polio.
Nipah virus in India
Between 17 May and 12 July 2025, there have been four confirmed Nipah virus cases, including two deaths in Kerala. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on Nipah virus.
Mpox in Congo
As of 31 July 2025, a total of 86 mpox cases, with one death, have been confirmed in Congo since 2024. Clade Ia and clade Ib mpox have been reported in Congo. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on mpox.
NaTHNaC regularly review and update information on disease outbreaks and other health issues that may affect the UK traveller. You can search the information by disease or by country in our Outbreak Surveillance section.
The information comes from a wide variety of sources and can be used along with the Country Information section of our website where you will find recommendations on vaccines, malaria and other risks for each country (where relevant).
Please note that not all cases of disease or outbreaks are reported. In some countries, there may be limited surveillance and reporting processes in place so information can be difficult to obtain. Some diseases may only be reported if they occur outside of the usual recognised risk area or season, or they have been reported in greater than usual numbers. Outbreaks of those diseases included in the UK childhood vaccination programme are not usually reported unless the outbreak is unusual or unexpected.
The information presented in the disease surveillance reports is collated from a variety of sources, including government bodies, international organisations and the media. The verification status of each report is clearly indicated. Verified reports are confirmed by official sources. Some unverified reports are included to ensure timely dissemination of information and where possible we will try to substantiate these reports, although confirmation may not always be possible. Unverified reports may be subject to change, misreporting and may later prove to be unsubstantiated. They should not therefore be regarded as official.
Where available, a web link is provided to the original information source. We cannot accept responsibility for the sites to which it links, or for the information found on those sites. Linking to outside sites does not in any way imply endorsement of these sites. If you wish to use the following content for official purposes, please refer to the original sources of information.
Key to NaTHNaC alert level feature
LEVEL 1: GREEN |
Take usual precautions
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Follow standard protective measures, as recommended for this destination, disease or situation. Be aware that advice may change and check for updates. |
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LEVEL 2: AMBER |
Take extra precautions
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Follow any additional precautions recommended. Be alert and check regularly for changes in advice about this ongoing situation. Advice may be relevant for all travellers or apply to a specific group of travellers. |
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LEVEL 3: RED |
FCDO advise against travel
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The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advise against travel on health grounds. This may mean avoiding non-essential travel, or all travel, follow the FCDO advice for details. Please note we do not report on FCDO safety and security alerts. Travellers should check the FCDO travel advisories for their destination for this information. |
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Alert categories are based on the situation at the time of publication. They will not be routinely updated unless outbreak information or a news item is updated.
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