Evidence of West Nile virus has been found in mosquitoes in UK for the first time, the government said.
Experts put the blame on climate change, saying warmer weather has made it possible for mosquitoes to spread further north than they have in previous years.
West Nile virus, part of the flavivirus family, can cause neurological disease and death in humans – although most people will make a full recovery.
The UK Health Security Agency said there is no evidence to suggest ongoing circulation, with the risk to general public ‘very low’.
Where were the mosquitoes found?
Two samples of Aedes vexans mosquitoes were collected from wetlands on the River Idle, near Gamston in Nottinghamshire in July 2023.
They were pooled into 200 groups of 10 for testing, of which two groups showed genetic evidence of West Nile virus.
The other 198 from the same site tested negative for the virus.
‘Not unexpected’
Dr Meera Chand, the body’s deputy director for travel health, zoonoses, emerging infections, respiratory and tuberculosis, said: ‘While this is the first detection of West Nile Virus in mosquitoes in the UK so far, it is not unexpected as the virus is already widespread in Europe.
‘The risk to the general public is currently assessed as very low. Vector research of this kind is designed to give us early warning of potential threats so that we can enhance our disease surveillance and control activities and ensure patients receive appropriate testing.’
Dr Arran Folly, lead of the Vector-Borne RADAR project which studied the mosquitoes, said: ‘The detection of West Nile virus in the UK is part of a wider changing landscape, where, in the wake of climate change mosquito-borne diseases are expanding to new areas.
‘Only through continued surveillance can we assess the risk to animal and public health.
‘Our primary focus is to understand how viruses move into the country and how they are transmitted. Combined this can help us identify areas that may be at increased risk of outbreaks.
‘The Vector-Borne RADAR project brings together a wealth of expertise across government and wildlife charities, to enhance the surveillance we undertake in the United Kingdom for mosquito-borne diseases.’
More to follow.
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