The Western Nile virus was discovered in the UK for the first time
UK health officials say that the Western Nile virus has been discovered in the UK for the first time.
The UK Agency (UKHSA) added that the risks to the general public are “very low” and although the virus can make people seriously ill in rare cases, there is no evidence that the virus is spreading in mosquitoes in the UK.
The virus, which is spread by mosquitoes that suffer from birds, is found in many parts of the world, including continental Europe.
Climate change and other factors pushing mosquitoes – and the diseases they carry – north in recent years.
Until now, there have been no humanitarian cases of West Nile virus obtained in the United Kingdom – although seven cases of travel related to other countries have been present since 2000.
Western Nile virus is a settler in several regions worldwide, including parts of Africa, Asia, South America and Europe, and has expanded in recent years.
A research program by Ukhsa and Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) found fragments of the virus in the mosquitoes collected in the ponds near Retford, Nottinghamshire in 2023.
“While this is the first discovery of the West Nile virus in the UK mosquitoes so far, it is not unexpected because the virus is already widely in Europe,” said Dr. Mira Chand, Deputy Director of Travel and Inflammation at Ukhsa.
Dr. Aran Fuli, the leadership of the project that found the virus, said that his discovery is part of “a broader variable scene, as Namussi’s diseases expand in climate change to new regions.”
while Vexans He added that mosquitoes are original to Britain, and added that warming temperatures may bring non -original species to the United Kingdom, and with them, the capabilities of infectious diseases.
Model is often found in wet areas. Experts recommend getting rid of permanent water sources – as it reproduces – and tracks personal measures such as using mosquitoes and bed cards.
Last year, The protests were held in Seville, SpainAfter the death of five people with the disease.
The Western Nile virus causes either very simple symptoms or nothing at all – but about 20 % of cases can suffer from headache, high fever and skin. In rare cases, it can be killed.
