COVID, Flu, Plague, Bundibugyo Ebolavirus, Dengue, H5N1, and Other Virus and Health UK and World News Update 9th October 2026

COVID, Flu, Plague, Bundibugyo Ebolavirus, Dengue, H5N1, and Other Virus and Health UK and World News Update 9th October 2026

COVID levels in the UK continue to rise and a wave  is underway, as was predicted. Levels have been super low since Spring, and you can't have it low forever. In Scotland there is a 121% increase in cases since last week. In Northern Ireland there was an increase in 25/30 areas according to wastewater surveillance (which has been paused this week), but test levels are stable, as they are in Wales. The latest stats show England has more than 10 times as many people infected as 10 weeks ago, up 34% on last week. Hospital admissions in England were a very low 950 in August and 4,939 in September.

Although the trajectory is steep, it must be stressed that this is all from that very low start, so still at low levels, and when people have gone a long time without catching it, and vaccination eligibility is very narrow, it's likely to spread.

There's a bit of talk about 'American COVID' or Stratus variant XFG. Popular in North America over the last couple of years, it's not a new strain, it's not even new to the UK, it just has some small changes. It doesn't appear to be any more severe, but it could have an advantage over some previous immunity - meaning we are even more likely to have high numbers of people catching COVID this Autumn. It also seems more likely to give you a scratchy sore throat, so at least you might sound as ill as you feel and get some sympathy... 

COVID-19, H5N1, Bundibugyo Ebola, Measles, Vaccination and Other Virus and Health UK and World News Update 28th August 2026

COVID-19, H5N1, Bundibugyo Ebola, Measles, Vaccination and Other Virus and Health UK and World News Update 28th August 2026

COVID levels are on the rise in the UK, and elsewhere in the Northern hemisphere, however they remain low. They've been low for quite some time, so it's not a surprise we are seeing a rise now, although it would have been even nicer if it had at least waited until the schools were all back and we could have had something to blame it on. 

The US has massive Salmonella outbreaks linked to 14.4 million eggs from Texas and fresh Jalapeño peppers from Mexico. Around 100 people have been hospitalised through both outbreaks. 

Belgium is dealing with it's largest ever salmonella outbreak. Around 2 million eggs have been recalled and 306 people were sick enough to have been tested and confirmed infected. 

If you think you are safe from salmonella in the UK, you usually are - as long as you use Lion Marked eggs from vaccinated UK hens, or cook your eggs thoroughly. The UKHSA has issued a report stating that on 26th May they noticed an increase in Salmonella, and cases had the same lineage (they're genetically related). As of the latest update on 25th August that outbreak numbered 259 confirmed cases and sadly 1 person has died. There are also 2 smaller outbreaks of 38 cases, and 177 cases.

Cases have risen quite dramatically since June, and imported eggs or egg dishes are suspected to be the cause. Around 38% of confirmed cases have been admitted to hospital and at least 2 people developed blood stream infections.

For most people Salmonella is a couple of days with a bad tummy and they won't even see a doctor. It's not pleasant, but usually resolves without treatment. If you cannot keep water down, are ill for more than 3 days or are especially vulnerable (frail or already ill, very young or old etc), always get advice from your GP.