Superdrug's pharmacy superintendent Rachel Jones has warned that four Victorian-era illnesses are making a comeback in modern Britain. The conditions include measles, scurvy, yellow fever and gout.
Factors behind the resurgence
Rachel Jones explained that several factors are playing a role, including cost-of-living challenges. She noted that measles, though often thought of as a disease of the past, remains highly contagious and can spread very quickly where vaccination rates are lower. The UK lost its measles elimination status at the beginning of this year.
Scurvy and other risks
Scurvy, famously associated with British sailors, is reappearing due to poor access to fresh fruit and vegetables. "With the current cost-of-living crisis, it has become a modern-day concern for many," Rachel explained. Yellow fever remains a risk for international travellers visiting at-risk regions, while gout, a type of inflammatory arthritis, continues to affect many people across the UK today.
Prevention advice
Rachel emphasised that vaccination and proper nutrition remain key to preventing these historical diseases from spreading further.
