Infectious diseases rise sharply in England, UKHSA warns

A new report by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reveals an alarming increase in infectious diseases in England. This includes a rise in vaccine-preventable infections and other endemic diseases since 2022. The report is the agency's first annual update on these trends, following its recent high-threat pathogen watchlist. COVID-19 restrictions had initially reduced the spread of many infections, but disruption to vaccination programs has led to rising cases. Richard Pebody from UKHSA noted social mixing, travel, and migration have contributed to this surge since 2022, significantly impacting public health. The report showed that over 20% of hospital beds were occupied by infectious diseases in 2023-2024, costing £5.9 billion. Measles cases jumped dramatically from 362 in 2023 to 2,911 in 2024, while pertussis cases soared from 856 to nearly 15,000. Vaccination rates for these diseases have also declined. Other diseases like tuberculosis and norovirus also saw significant increases in cases, raising concerns about health standards in the UK. Despite these challenges, there is hope. A vaccine program for RSV in older adults showed a 30% reduction in hospital admissions, and flu vaccine uptake has surpassed targets. UKHSA leaders stress the need for stronger actions to address these rising infections.