Two species of disease-carrying mosquitoes have been discovered within the UK – and are spreading because the local weather warms, scientists have warned.
Aedes aegypti, also called the Egyptian mosquito, and Aedes albopictus, also called the (Asian) tiger or forest mosquito, are recognized vectors of a number of ailments together with yellow fever, dengue, chikungunya, Zika and dirofilariasis.
The species had been detected in surveillance traps set by the UK Well being Safety Company, a peer-reviewed research on invasive mosquito surveillance within the UK has revealed.
Egyptian mosquito eggs had been detected in a freight storage facility close to London’s Heathrow Airport in September 2023 – and tiger mosquitoes had been seen in August 2024 – for the primary time since 2019 – at a motorway service station in Kent.
The findings had been reported within the research – by the UKHSA and the Centre for Local weather and Well being Safety.
Traditionally, each species had been restricted to subtropical and tropical areas, nonetheless, the tiger mosquito has now established populations throughout components of southern and central Europe, demonstrating its means to outlive in temperate climates.
Rising temperatures and milder winters could improve northward incursions of invasive species, placing new populations vulnerable to illness transmission.
The authors mentioned: “While there is currently no evidence that Ae. albopictus or Ae. aegypti are widely established in the UK, without timely action, the UK faces the risk of invasive mosquito populations becoming established… proactive measures enhance resilience against emerging vector borne disease risks.”
Alongside energetic surveillance at ports and land transport websites in England, Wales and Northern Eire, the UKHSA additionally has traps on the Kent marshes – seen as a chief web site for any mosquitoes taking on residence as a result of it is heat and moist.
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From September 2023: ‘Tiger mosquito’ heading to the UK
The UKHSA additionally runs the Mosquito Recording Scheme (MRS). The citizen-science venture receives and identifies mosquitoes submitted by members of the general public, together with in response to nuisance biting incidents.
The purpose of the scheme is to detect uncommon or invasive species, present a log of reportable incidents of nuisance mosquito biting, and achieve perception into the seasonality of incidents.
Between 2005 and 2021, 286 reviews of mosquitoes had been submitted to the MRS, all of which had been native UK species.
Colin Johnston, the lead writer of the research and senior medical entomologist on the UKHSA, mentioned of the 2023 and 2024 discoveries: “Each detection triggered enhanced local surveillance and control measures, and the fact that no further specimens were found suggests these were isolated incursions.”
He added: “The collaborative efforts between UKHSA, local authorities and landowners were key to rapidly mobilising and preventing the establishment of invasive mosquitoes.”
The research was revealed in analysis journal PLOS World Public Well being.
