Brits urged to 'protect yourself' as deadly virus detected in uk mosquitoes

HEALTH BOSSES HAVE REVEALED FIVE WAYS TO STAY SAFE FROM VECTOR-BORNE DISEASES LIKE DENGUE AND WEST NILE VIRUS 18:04, 21 May 2025 Health officials have issued advice to Brits about how to

protect themselves from mosquito-borne diseases after a deadly virus was found in UK mosquitoes for the first time. West Nile Virus (WNV) genetic material was identified in mosquitoes

collected in Britain, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has said. The virus is a vector-borne disease – transmitted to humans by

blood-feeding bugs – belonging to the Flaviviridae family, which also includes the viruses that cause the tropical diseases dengue fever and yellow fever. Vector-borne diseases account for

more than 17 per cent of all infectious diseases globally, causing over 700,000 deaths per year, the UKHSA warns. Outbreaks of WNV have been reported in several countries in Europe, killing

five people in Spain and 12 others in Greece last year. The geographic spread of the virus has expanded in recent years to more northerly and western regions of mainland Europe. Article

continues below Dr Meera Chand, UKHSA 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." The UKHSA says fragments of the virus were identified in _Aedes vexans_ mosquitoes collected from wetlands in Nottinghamshire in July 2023. Mosquitoes in the UK are commonly

found in wet woodland areas and various aquatic habitats, including ponds, ditches, marshes, and garden water butts or cisterns. UKHSA ADVICE ON HOW TO 'PROTECT YOURSELF'

Vector-borne diseases are typically spread by mosquitoes and ticks. Ticks are tiny spider-like creatures often found in grassy, wooded areas are most active in the months April to July. When

in areas where mosquitoes or ticks may be present, the UKHSA urges Brits to: * Wear long-sleeved clothing and trousers * Use insect repellent containing DEET * Close windows and doors when

possible, or use screens * Clear standing water from gardens to reduce mosquito breeding sites * Check for ticks after outdoor activities in woodland or grassy areas "Mosquitoes breed

in a range of natural wetlands, but can also be common in gardens, breeding in container habitats like water butts and buckets," said Dr Jolyon Medlock, Head of Medical Entomology and

Zoonoses Ecology at UKHSA. Following the detection of the virus, gardeners in the UK have been urged to add lids to water butts and buckets, or to turn them over. Dr Medlock added:

"Reducing opportunities for some mosquito species to access these containers with lids, or turning them over, can reduce mosquitoes numbers around our homes." SYMPTOMS OF WEST NILE

VIRUS Most people infected with West Nile Virus show mild flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache or muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes and a rash. Article continues below Mild infections

typically resolve within a few days, but the virus can cause neurological disease and death in a small number of cases. However, around 80 per cent of people who are infected will not show

any symptoms.