Health officials have urged UK travellers to take precautions against mosquito bites while on holiday amid a rise in cases of chikungunya virus.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has reported an increase in the virus among travellers returning from abroad to England.

Chikungunya is a virus spread by mosquito bites. While serious complications are not common, the infection can be fatal in rare cases, particularly in very young or older people, or those with underlying health conditions.

Symptoms of the virus are similar to those of other tropical diseases like dengue fever and Zika. These include fever, debilitating joint pain and joint swelling, muscle pain, headache, nausea, fatigue and rash.

According to UKHSA, most people recover within two weeks, although the joint pain

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