PublicHealthMatters

Malayan flying fox (Pteropus vampyrus). a South-East Asian species of megabat, primarily feeds on flowers, nectar and fruit Nipah virus (NiV) is a serious infectious disease that periodically causes outbreaks in parts of Asia. While the risk to most people remains very low, understanding this virus is important if you are planning to travel to … Read more

Measles is highly contagious so even a small decline in vaccine uptake can lead to a rise in cases. There has been a resurgence of measles in England and around the world in recent years. In 2024 there were 2,911 laboratory confirmed measles cases in England, the highest number of cases recorded annually in decades. Figures … Read more

Croup is a common childhood condition that affects the windpipe, the airways to the lungs, and the voice box. It mainly affects babies and young children, typically those aged between 6 months and 3 years, though most cases occur in 1-year-olds. Boys tend to be affected more than girls, and croup is most common during … Read more

Shingles, known medically as herpes zoster, is an infection that causes a painful rash. It is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox (varicella). Once someone has recovered from chickenpox, the virus remains dormant in the body and then can reactivate later in life and present as shingles because of decreased immunity – either … Read more

During summer and winter, UKHSA and the Met Office monitor weather forecasts to help health and social care professionals, emergency responders, the voluntary sector and the public prepare for adverse conditions. When periods of particularly hot or cold weather are forecast, we carry out a joint risk assessment and issue alerts where necessary. UKHSA’s Weather-Health … Read more

Adenovirus might not be a household name like flu or the common cold, but it’s one of the most common causes of viral infections. Most people will have had at least one adenovirus infection before they turn 10, and because there are many different types, it’s possible to be infected more than once throughout your … Read more

Routine childhood vaccinations provide children with protection against a range of diseases that can be very serious. Why is this change happening? The NHS childhood vaccination schedule has recently been updated to help give children even better protection against diseases. Changes include protecting children against some diseases earlier and adding vaccines that protect against more … Read more

From 1 January 2026, the MMRV vaccine will be introduced into the routine childhood immunisation schedule in the UK. When your child will be offered this vaccine depends on their date of birth. The MMRV vaccine helps protect children against measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox (varicella). Children are offered 2 doses when they are 12 … Read more

A selection of colour pills in blister packaging Antibiotic-resistant infections are on the rise. Data published in autumn 2025 shows there are nearly 400 new cases reported every week in England.  When bacteria adapt to survive antibiotics, vital medicines stop working when we need them most.  But the fight against superbugs isn’t just happening in laboratories – here are … Read more

Samara works in the third sector with a children’s charity. Through her role, she has worked with people who experience homelessness. A few years ago, she contracted a disease which would lead to a challenging and long battle with the real-world impact of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), affecting almost all aspects of her life. In this … Read more