Latest news with #UKHealthSecurity
The Independent
22-06-2025
- Climate
- The Independent
Heatwave begins to lift across UK while thunderstorms and rain move in
Temperatures are set to cool off across the UK as the country is braced for more rain and thunderstorms into next week, according to the Met Office. The forecaster said temperatures would be around the high teens and low 20s from Monday, with thundery downpours expected in the South East. It comes after the country was hit by a heatwave over the weekend with a provisional high of 33.2C recorded, making it the warmest day of 2025 so far. 'There's a fresher feel, quite breezy as well so most places, high teens, low 20s for temperatures, and it stays quite showery tonight,' Met Office meteorologist Marco Petagna said. 'It does become very warm again in the South East around the middle of the week, so we could see high 20s again around Tuesday, Wednesday in the South East. 'But at the same time as that heat builds again briefly in the south and South East, we could see further thundery downpours for a time as well.' The cooler temperatures come after thunderstorms swept across parts of the country overnight, including north England and south-east Scotland. Berwick-upon-Tweed in Northumberland saw 31.1mm of rainfall overnight and was among the locations that saw the wettest weather. On Monday, the South East will see the most sunshine and highs of up to 25C, Mr Petagna added. For the other regions, temperatures will be around the high teens and low 20s which is 'near-average' for the time of year, he said. Over the weekend, an amber heat-health warning from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) was issued, covering all regions of England. The mercury hit a record-high of 33.2C in Charlwood, Surrey. On Friday, a temperature of 30.8C was reached, triggering an official heatwave across England and Wales after three consecutive days of hot weather. An official heatwave is recorded when areas reach a certain temperature for three consecutive days, with thresholds varying from 25C to 28C in different parts of the UK. Five-day weather forecast Sunday Fresher for most, with breezy westerly winds bringing sunshine and scattered showers, with a few thunderstorms in the North West. Drier and brighter in the southeast but staying warm and humid here. Heavy showers continuing through the night, with generally cloudier skies in the south. Cooler overnight in the North and West, but remaining mild in the far South East. Breezy for all. Monday Breezy westerly winds continue to bring a mix of sunshine and showers, most frequent in the North and West. Drier in the South East and feeling warm in the sunshine. Tuesday to Thursday Changeable through the rest of the week. Cloudier on Tuesday with patchy drizzle at times and a humid feel. Heavy showers or longer spells of rain on Wednesday and Thursday.
The Sun
21-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Fatal paralysing virus detected in UK for first time – as health officials issue important advice to doctors
A POTENTIALLY fatal virus that can leave victims paralysed has been detected in Britain for the first time, the UK Health Security Agency said. Health officials said they found West Nile virus, which is usually limited to Africa, the Middle East and South Asia, in mosquitos on UK shores. 1 The bug, which mostly spreads to people through critter bites, can cause severe, life-threatening illness in about 1 in 150 people who are infected, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). UKHSA bosses are now racing to contain any potential spread of the virus but insist the risk to the public is low.
Scottish Sun
12-05-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Killer infection on the rise in the UK after 28 deaths – the 5 foods you must avoid
Plus, how to know if you have the infection HEALTH ALERT Killer infection on the rise in the UK after 28 deaths – the 5 foods you must avoid HEALTH officials have sounded the alarm over a life-threatening infection that appears to be on the rise. New data from the UK Health Security (UKHSA) has revealed cases of listeriosis are at the highest level in eight years - with 170 cases reported in England and Wales in 2024, including 28 deaths. Advertisement 2 Cases of listeriosis are on the rise, prompting health officials to warn of five foods that carry a greater risk 2 Listerious is caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes Credit: Getty Listeriosis is a serious food borne illness caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. While most people who get it won't have any symptoms or will have mild gastroenteritis, the infection can prove deadly for certain high-risk groups. In a post published on X, formerly Twitter, Vanessa Wong, UKHSA Consultant in gastrointestinal infections, said: "Listeriosis is a rare infection and most people only experience mild symptoms of gastroenteritis that usually pass within a few days without the need for treatment." "However, severe listeriosis is more likely to affect the elderly, very young babies, pregnant women and those with a weakened immune system. Advertisement Read more on listeria CHILLING WARNING We reveal hidden dangers in your freezer as nine die from frozen sweetcorn "The best way to prevent listeriosis is to practise good food hygiene and avoid high-risk foods if you are in a vulnerable group." The UKHSA lists five foods that carry a greater risk of listeria: Soft cheeses Pâté Smoked fish Chilled sliced meats Other chilled ready-to-eat products The NHS says other foods at higher risk of listeria include pre-prepared sandwiches and salads, pre-cut fruit, and dairy products made from unpasteurised milk. Although it does advise: "These foods do not always contain listeria. If you have eaten them recently, you do not need to do anything unless you get symptoms of the infection." Advertisement Earlier this year, officials revealed three people died in 2024 after eating desserts contaminated with listeria dished out in NHS hospitals. Three dead and two hospitalised after food poisoning outbreak linked to desserts in NHS hospitals There were seven listeriosis outbreaks investigated in England and Wales in 2024, according to the UKHSA. National outbreaks were associated with smoked fish, chocolate and strawberry mousse, garlic sausage and pre-packed sandwiches. Listeriosis can be deadly because it can cause severe complications like sepsis, meningitis, or encephalitis. Advertisement It can also lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, and premature birth. As well as avoiding foods that carry a greater risk of listeria, the NHS says it's also worth doing the following: keep chilled, ready-to-eat foods cold – try to make sure your fridge is working properly and is set to 5C or below eat ready-to-eat foods within four hours of taking them out of the fridge eat, cook or freeze foods by their use-by date follow storage instructions on food labels and use opened food within two days (unless the packaging says otherwise) keep raw and ready-to-eat foods separate follow any cooking instructions on packaging, and cook or reheat (including frozen vegetables) until they're steaming hot right through wash your hands regularly with soap and water If listeriosis is mild you'll usually get better in a few days - just make sure to rest and drink plenty of fluids. If you're at a higher risk of getting seriously ill, you may need antibiotics. Advertisement
