New Delhi: While Covid cases are rising in India and Singapore, the United Kingdom has another deadly disease to worry about.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) have confirmed the presence of West Nile Virus (WNV) genetic material in British mosquitoes.
WNV is part of the Flaviviridae virus family, which also includes dengue and yellow fever. The virus typically circulates among birds and is spread by mosquitoes that bite infected birds.
Occasionally, the virus can infect humans and horses. Globally, WNV is found in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, the Americas, and parts of Asia and Australia — and its reach has recently expanded into more northern and western regions of mainland Europe.
Most people infected with West Nile Virus show no symptoms or only mild flu-like signs such as fever, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, and skin rashes. These cases usually resolve on their own within a few days.
However, less than 1 per cent of infections can lead to serious illness, particularly neurological complications.
To date, the UK has not reported any locally acquired human or equine cases, though there have been seven travel-related human infections reported since 2000.
Also, current evidence does not indicate that the virus is actively circulating among birds or mosquitoes in the UK, but authorities have ramped up surveillance to monitor the situation closely.
Speaking to The Mirror, Dr. Meera Chand, Deputy Director at UKHSA, 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 gives us early warning of potential threats so we can improve disease surveillance and ensure appropriate patient testing.”
Dr. Arran Folly of the APHA added: “The detection of West Nile Virus in the UK reflects a broader shift driven by climate change, which is enabling mosquito-borne diseases to spread to new regions.
Ongoing surveillance is essential to assess and mitigate risks to both animal and public health.”
The Aedes vexans mosquito, which can carry WNV, is native to the UK and found in low numbers across much of the country.
As per the Mirror, in certain flood-prone regions, such as villages along the River Idle near Retford, Nottinghamshire, their population can spike during the summer.
Though these mosquitoes are known for their nuisance biting, recent efforts have been made to manage their habitats and reduce their presence.
