Welcome to the official page of the UK Health Security Agency
UKHSA’s mission is to use our global to local reach to protect the health of the nation from infectious diseases and external threats by combining leading edge science and analytics, insightful planning and responsive operational excellence.
14/05/2026
👀📰 Seeing news of norovirus on a cruise ship and curious to find out more about the virus? While it’s often known as the winter vomiting bug, it can be caught at any time of year. It spreads more easily in enclosed spaces like cruise ships. Read more 👇
https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2025/10/23/norovirus-what-to-do-if-you-catch-it-and-helping-to-stop-the-spread/
13/05/2026
Our blog post on the hantavirus outbreak linked to the Dutch cruise ship has been updated.
🔗Full details here: https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2026/05/12/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-hantavirus-outbreak-linked-to-the-dutch-cruise-ship/
13/05/2026
If you've been wondering how 'hantavirus' was named, it came from the place the virus was first discovered.
Find out all about hantavirus in our explainer blog post: https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2026/05/12/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-hantavirus-outbreak-linked-to-the-dutch-cruise-ship/
12/05/2026
We have a dedicated blog post with information on the hantavirus outbreak linked to the Dutch cruise ship, which we are regularly updating.
🔗Full details here: https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2026/05/12/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-hantavirus-outbreak-linked-to-the-dutch-cruise-ship/
11/05/2026
British nationals from the MV Hondius who were due to return to the UK have now arrived back safely and are being monitored at Arrowe Park as a precautionary measure.
The risk to the public remains very low.
08/05/2026
We are regularly updating our blog post on the hantavirus outbreak.
Read it here: https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2026/05/05/what-is-hantavirus-how-is-it-transmitted-and-what-are-the-symptoms/
🎧 Our Chief Scientific Officer Professor Robin May spoke to BBC Breakfast this morning about the hantavirus outbreak, explaining why the risk to the public is very low and how contact tracing is being carefully targeted.
Listen to the interview here. 🔽
06/05/2026
We are working closely with international partners to respond to the outbreak of hantavirus linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship.
The latest information is in our news story: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ukhsa-update-on-the-hantavirus-cruise-ship-outbreak
06/05/2026
Think the common cold spreads fast? Measles is nearly twice as contagious, and can be far more serious. ⚠
Unlike a common cold, simple hygiene measures aren’t enough to slow it’s spread. The MMR/MMRV vaccine is your best protection. 🛡
🔗 nhs.uk/measles
04/05/2026
While your child’s name might not be Luke, they still need protection from the dark side (diseases).
This Star Wars Day, check which vaccines the NHS offers and catch up if missed. May the force be with you. 🌌
🔗 https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/nhs-vaccinations-and-when-to-have-them/
01/05/2026
Bank holiday plans? A farm visit is fun for the whole family 🐄
Enjoy the animals and fresh air, just remember to wash hands well after meeting woolly and feathered friends 🧼🐑🐣
Our blog post has top tips for how to stay healthy on your visit:
🔗 https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2024/05/02/how-to-stay-safe-from-infections-carried-by-animals-when-visiting-a-farm/