DEADLY WEST NILE VIRUS IS FOUND IN MIDLAND MOZZIES

HEALTH officials have stepped up disease surveillance efforts after finding signs of the West Nile Virus in mosquitoes in the UK for the first time - in the Midlands.

- STAFF REPORTER

While the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said the risk to the public is “very low”, it said that surveillance and control activities are being “enhanced” in light of the findings.

Experts said mosquito-borne diseases are expanding to new areas due to climate change.

The UKHSA and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) said “fragments of West Nile Virus genetic material” were found in some Aedes vexans mosquitoes collected in wetlands on the River Idle at Gamston, near Retford in Nottinghamshire, in July 2023.

West Nile Virus is usually found in birds, and usually circulates through bird-biting mosquitoes.

In rare cases mosquitoes can transmit the virus to humans or horses.