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UK Health Security Agency @ukhsa.bsky.social · 2h

Consultant epidemiologist, Jamie Lopez Bernal shares the latest insights from this week’s report. If you want even more detail, read the full report below. 🔎
🔗 www.gov.uk/government/s...

Dr Jamie Lopez Bernal, Consultant Epidemiologist at UKHSA

The first weekly surveillance report of the 2025/26 season shows that both flu and COVID-19 positivity continue to increase, so everyone eligible for vaccination should take it up now to ensure optimal protection.

The NHS national booking system has opened for all eligible groups to book their flu and COVID-19 vaccination appointments.

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UK Health Security Agency @ukhsa.bsky.social · 2h

#UKHSAVirusWatch is back, a summary of our weekly winter surveillance report .🦠🧵
This week's data shows an increase in COVID-19 activity, which is circulating at medium levels. Flu activity has also increased, particularly in those aged 15 to 24, but remains at baseline levels.

Graph showing COVID-19 positive tests rising steadily from spring 2025 after a low in early 2025. Data from October 2024 to October 2025, England only.

Graph showing flu-positive tests peaking sharply in winter 2024–25 before declining and then beginning to rise again in autumn 2025. Data from October 2024 to October 2025, England only.

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UK Health Security Agency @ukhsa.bsky.social · 1d

If you test positive for #HIV, treatment is highly effective, and most can expect to live a long, healthy life.

Early diagnosis can be lifesaving, so please get tested regularly if you’re sexually active.

Visit the NHS website to check your options: https://t.co/rvJOa6bo28 https://t.co/TxoVjMSA1n

Did you know? More than half the people in the UK living with HIV are now over 50. Thanks to testing and treatment, people can live long, healthy lives.

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UK Health Security Agency @ukhsa.bsky.social · 2d

HIV treatment is very effective. Get tested, and take control of your health.

There are many ways to access testing kits - visit the NHS website to check your options: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hiv-and-aids/

98% of adults in England who are treated for HIV have supressed viral loads which means it can't be passed on

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UK Health Security Agency @ukhsa.bsky.social · 2d

Yesterday, we signed a landmark Surveillance Data Sharing Agreement with Italy’s Istituto Superiore di Sanità.

This technical accord enables secure exchange of anonymised data including on pathogen genomics, antimicrobial resistance, vaccine-preventable diseases & One Health.

Benedetta Pieri, Anna Teresa Palamara, Rocco Bellantone, Susan Hopkins, Andrea Piccioli, Carlo Villanacci at UKHSA's offices in Canary Wharf

President of the ISS, Rocco Bellantone and UKHSA CEO Susan Hopkins

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UK Health Security Agency @ukhsa.bsky.social · 3d

Last week our CEO @smhopkins.bsky.social spoke at the @thepandemicinst.bsky.social about our mission to protect the UK against current and future health threats.

She stressed that pandemic preparedness means acting now to prevent what we can, and being ready to respond swiftly when necessary.

Susan Hopkins gives the keynote speech: Preparing together: Public health and academic collaboration for pandemic resilience

Panel session: Strengthening health security through UKHSA academic collaboration

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UK Health Security Agency @ukhsa.bsky.social · 6d

Although we have discovered eggs of Aedes mosquitoes recently, there is no evidence of established populations in the UK and we are unlikely to see them for the moment.

Read more about how we monitor mosquitoes:
ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2024/12/03/h...

Map showing distribution of Aedes invasive mosquitoes, June 2025

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UK Health Security Agency @ukhsa.bsky.social · 7d

#Nanoplastics are very small, but they might be having a big impact on our health.
Read our blog post on the effects of #Microplastics and their tinier counterpart. ❇️🤏
🔗 https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2025/03/12/nanoplastics-are-everywhere-what-is-the-health-impact-of-these-tiny-particles/

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UK Health Security Agency @ukhsa.bsky.social · 8d

We are pleased to be hosting this year's European Radiation Protection Week (ERPW) conference in London.

The new UKHSA Chief Scientist Robin May attended yesterday alongside many colleagues from UKHSA's Radiation Protection Sciences Division.

Robin May meets colleagues from the Radiation Protection Sciences Division at European Radiation Protection Week 2025. Left to Right: Max Taylor, Kinga Zmijewska, Robin May, Liz Ainsbury, Chloe Giles.

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UK Health Security Agency @ukhsa.bsky.social · 8d

Today, @NHSEngland delivers the first flu and COVID jabs of the season, to ‘winter-proof’ the vulnerable.

Find out how to book if you're eligible: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/vaccination-and-booking-services/

Dr Mary Ramsay, Director of Immunisation at UKHSA said, 'From today everyone at higher risk of flu and COVID-19 can take up the offer of a vaccine to give them vital protection going into winter. If you’re eligible it is because you are at greater risk of getting seriously ill and ending up in hospital. Book online on the NHS App or National Booking System; or speak to your GP or practice nurse, or alternatively your local pharmacist. For pregnant women, the vaccine may also be available through maternity services'

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UK Health Security Agency @ukhsa.bsky.social · 10d

Jetting off outside the UK? Even if you’re a regular at your destination, check travelhealthpro.org.uk before you go. Knowing how to protect yourself keeps your festivities festive. 🎊

Visiting friends and family?
Prioritise your health, check TravelHealthPro.org.uk

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UK Health Security Agency @ukhsa.bsky.social · 13d

As part of World AMR Awareness Week 2025, the Fleming Initiative will take over the billboard at Piccadilly Circus to raise awareness of antimicrobial resistance. Find out how you can take part on the link below. ✨💊
🔗 fleminginitiative.org/thank-you-antibiotics

Have antibiotics or any other antimicrobials made a difference to you and your family’s lives?
Your name and photo could be on Piccadilly Lights!
fleminginitiative.org/thank-you-antibiotics

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UK Health Security Agency @ukhsa.bsky.social · 13d

See the full report for more information 👇
🔗 www.gov.uk/government/s...

National flu and COVID-19 surveillance report: 25 September 2025 (week 39)

www.gov.uk

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UK Health Security Agency @ukhsa.bsky.social · 13d

We’re also seeing flu and COVID-19 slowly begin to rise. Now’s the time to book your flu and COVID-19 vaccines before the expected seasonal spread of these viruses. Consultant epidemiologist Jamie Lopez Bernal, who leads on the report, shared these insights. 💬

Dr Jamie Lopez Bernal
Consultant Epidemiologist, UKHSA

Flu and COVID-19 levels are starting to slowly increase.

While this is to be expected at this time of year, now is the time for people to come forward for their winter vaccines if they’re eligible, before we start to see more of these viruses in circulation in the winter months.

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UK Health Security Agency @ukhsa.bsky.social · 13d

Noticing lots of cold symptoms and cases of the sniffles? 🤧 We're seeing a sharp increase in rhinovirus, which causes the common cold, as shown in our latest weekly data. This isn't unexpected for this time of year when kids go back to school and mixing increases.

Line graph showing weekly percentage of positive tests for flu, COVID-19, RSV and rhinovirus in England from October 2024 to September 2025. Rhinovirus rises sharply this September; COVID-19 and flu increase more slowly; RSV is the lowest on the chart.

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UK Health Security Agency @ukhsa.bsky.social · 14d

Our CEO, Professor Susan Hopkins, attended the opening yesterday. Here’s what she said about this new cutting-edge research centre. 🔽💬

Professor Susan Hopkins, CEO, UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said:

The opening of this impressive state of the art facility in Harwell, alongside Moderna’s substantial investment in UK research and development, will help ensure the NHS has rapid access to mRNA vaccines if needed in a future pandemic. It will also open doors to new vaccine products, helping support the government’s 10 Year Health Plan and the focus on prevention.

I’m delighted that UKHSA leads the partnership on behalf of government. It is an exemplar on how we and government can work closely with industry to prepare and respond to emerging health threats. It will support the UK’s ambitions towards the 100 Days Mission, helping put the UK at the forefront of pandemic preparedness and new technologies whilst driving economic growth.

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UK Health Security Agency @ukhsa.bsky.social · 14d

The new Moderna Innovation and Technology Centre will produce millions of vaccines for viruses like flu, RSV & COVID-19 and help the UK prepare for future pandemics. 🛡💉
📰🔗 www.gov.uk/government/n...

The banner is being cut outside of the Moderna Innovation and Technology Centre.

The attendies lined up against a wall in the Moderna Innovation and Technology Centre.

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UK Health Security Agency @ukhsa.bsky.social · 16d

Clinicians & laboratory staff can register for a free online webinar on acute flaccid paralysis and myelitis, run next month by UKHSA, NHSE & MHRA.

Sign up here: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/3cf12d5d-02a7-4ffc-b846-746ec8833ba9@ee4e1499-4a35-4b2e-ad47-5f3cf9de8666

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UK Health Security Agency @ukhsa.bsky.social · 16d

From mapping outbreaks of gastroenteritis to analysing qualitative survey responses, AI is helping us to protect and improve public health.

Find out more on our blog: https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2025/03/14/how-we-are-pioneering-artificial-intelligence-applications-in-public-health/

How we are pioneering artificial intelligence applications in public health

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UK Health Security Agency @ukhsa.bsky.social · 17d

A year today, we'll be kicking off our 2026 conference in Manchester.

📅 Save the date: Tuesday 22 and Wednesday 23 September 2026.
We'll be sharing more details in the months ahead.

UKHSA Conference 2026

Details on the programme and exhibition opportunities to follow.

Tuesday 22 and Wednesday 23 September 2026

Manchester Central

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UK Health Security Agency @ukhsa.bsky.social · 20d

This new paper from @ukhsa.bsky.social scientists including @smhopkins.bsky.social and @cstewartb.bsky.social - and @ox.ac.uk academics like @samlipworth.bsky.social - looks at possible improvements to pathogen surveillance through the use of Oxford Nanopore Technologies.

Sam Lipworth @samlipworth.bsky.social · 21d

Great new work from #DotNagy @modmedmicro.bsky.social - she tool 96 clinical isolates from the NEKSUS study and sequenced with both Illumina and Nanopore - question was, can we do away with hybrid sequencing for the rest of the study?
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...

Nanopore long-read only genome assembly of clinical Enterobacterales isolates is complete and accurate

Whole bacterial genome sequence reconstruction using Oxford Nanopore Technologies ('Nanopore') long-read only sequencing may offer a lower-cost, higher-throughput alternative for pathogen surveillance...

www.biorxiv.org

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Reposted by UK Health Security Agency

poppyellislogan.bsky.social @poppyellislogan.bsky.social · 29d

Public health messages should use self-explanatory language. If messages use vague words (like 'vulnerable'), people have to fill in the blanks. My research has impacted the language that @ukhsa.bsky.social uses. Here's an article and video all about it! www.kcl.ac.uk/news/spotlig...

#HealthEquity

Why words matter in public health | King's College London

Public health messages often describe some people as ‘vulnerable’. In emergencies, people categorised as ‘vulnerable’ even receive different information and advice. Research by Poppy Ellis Logan, PhD ...

www.kcl.ac.uk

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Reposted by UK Health Security Agency

London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine @lshtm.bsky.social · Sep 8

Missed out on a ticket for LSHTM’s Health Misinformation UNPACKED?

Our event is proving so popular we’ve released EXTRA online tickets so more people can learn how to fight dangerous health #misinformation!

Get your ticket👉 www.lshtm.ac.uk/newsevents/e...

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UK Health Security Agency @ukhsa.bsky.social · Sep 9

In this article, a Senior Healthcare Laboratory Scientist, reflects on a recent leadership development workshop that we ran in the UK, bringing together public health leaders from Nigeria, Zambia, and the Gambia.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/strengthening-global-health-through-leadership-j35we/

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UK Health Security Agency @ukhsa.bsky.social · Sep 5

We're reminding people that vaginal oestrogen may ease symptoms associated with the menopause, such as dryness, irritation and discomfort during sex while also cutting down frequent UTIs. 💧✨

🔗 https://t.co/T9Sz3GyjWq https://t.co/LsLLbUDIY7

UTIs again and again? Vaginal oestrogen might help prevent frequent UTIs. If you’re experiencing menopause or are post-menopausal, talk to a healthcare professional.

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