Deadly mystery disease reaches uk for first time - and there's no vaccine

West Nile Virus has been found in the UK for the first time - as health experts look to try and "enhance surveillance." The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Animal and

Plant Health Agency (APHA) has identified fragments of West Nile Virus genetic material in mosquitoes collected in Britain for the first time. West Nile Virus is a vector borne disease

belonging to the Flaviviridae family, which also includes the viruses that cause dengue and yellow fever. It is usually found in birds, and typically circulates through bird-biting

mosquitoes. In rare cases mosquitoes can transmit the virus to humans or horses. The virus is endemic in various regions across the globe, including Europe, Africa, the Middle East, West and

Central Asia, and North America, as well as South America, USA and Australia. The geographic range of West Nile Virus has expanded in recent years to more northerly and western regions of

mainland Europe. Most people infected with West Nile Virus are asymptomatic or present with mild influenza-like symptoms such as fever, headache or myalgia, swollen lymph nodes and a rash.

While most mild infections resolve within a few days, a small number of cases (under 1%) can cause more severe illness. 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.” There have been no cases of locally acquired West Nile Virus detected in humans or

horses in the UK to date, although 7 travel-associated cases have occurred since 2000. Experts said that on available surveillance, there is no evidence to suggest ongoing circulation of the

virus in birds or mosquitos in the UK. Disease surveillance and control activities are being enhanced in light of the findings. Currently, the main risk of West Nile Virus for UK residents

continues to be travel to endemic areas overseas. Dr Arran Folly, Arbovirologist at APHA and lead of the Vector-Borne RADAR project, added: “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

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CLICK HERE TO JOIN “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." "Aedes vexans are native to the UK and although they can be found widely at very low densities, in a few locations in England they can occur at high

densities associated with summer flooded river landscapes. "While uncommon, they are known to cause nuisance biting in a small number of areas in the country, including in villages

along the River Idle near Retford, Nottinghamshire, where summer flooding and poor drainage is experienced. Recent efforts have taken place to manage the mosquito populations and to minimise

suitable habitats for the main nuisance biting mosquito."