'Hitchhiking' mosquitoes that can transmit dengue and Zika virus found breeding in UK
UKHSA said the risk to the public is very low and no human infections have been reported after larvae were found in homes.
- On Thursday, the Health Security Agency reported the first confirmed instance of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes breeding in the UK, discovering adults and larvae at residential properties in east London.
- It is the fourth detection of Aedes in recent years, as the species is known to "hitchhike" in imported plants, baggage, and vehicles, though this marks the first time they have bred locally.
- Dr. Jolyon Medlock, Head of Medical Entomology at UKHSA, assessed the public health risk as "very low," noting that the broader UK climate remains too cold for the species to establish long-term.
- Health officials are conducting enhanced surveillance and trapping to eradicate the infestation, while stressing as a "precaution" that Londoners should remove standing water from outdoor spaces to prevent breeding opportunities.
- Monitoring efforts continue through the UKHSA Mosquito Watch scheme, as experts warn that warmer climates may increase future reports of invasive mosquitoes being able to survive in the UK.
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Sky News UK
Great Yorkshire Radio'Hitchhiking' mosquitoes that can transmit dengue and Zika virus found breeding in UK
Officials said the risk to the public remains low and the overall UK climate is too cold for Aedes aegypti mosquitoes to survive long-term.
Mosquitoes capable of spreading deadly Zika virus found in Britain for first time
A breeding colony of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes – the species responsible for transmitting Zika virus, dengue and yellow fever – has been identified in east London, marking the first sighting of reproduction on British soil.The UK Health Security Agency confirmed the discovery of the mosquitoes, along with their larvae, in a residential area of the capital.Specialist teams have been dispatched by the UKHSA to eradicate the colony before it can bec…
Kreiszeitung
An Aedes-aegypti colony with larvae has been found in London – a sign that the warming of the climate brings disease carriers to Britain.
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