Health and Me

Rachel V Thomas

Dengue, Chikungunya, Zika-Carrying Mosquito Breeding In UK: Are You At Risk?

UK health officials have reported the breeding of an invasive <span>mosquito</span> species known to spread <span><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/dengue">dengue</a></span>, <span><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/chikungunya">chikungunya</a></span> and <span>Zika</span> viruses.

While this is the fourth time <em><span rel="noindex">Aedes aegypti</span></em> has been detected in the UK, it is the first time the species has been found breeding. The mosquitoes were found reproducing in homes in east London.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said the risk to the public is low, with no evidence of human infections linked to these mosquitoes.

Officials believe the mosquitoes may have been accidentally imported in baggage, vehicles or plants. Measures to destroy larvae, along with surveillance and trapping, have been stepped up.

<h2>What Does This Mean For Public Health?</h2>

Mosquito-borne diseases kill more than one million people and infect up to 700 million each year.

While <em>Aedes aegypti</em> mosquitoes are usually found in tropical and subtropical climates, the current risk to the UK public remains low. The species is unlikely to survive long-term in the UK's colder temperatures.

UKHSA head of medical entomology Dr Jolyon Medlock said: "There is no evidence that these mosquitoes have caused human infections and importantly, to date, there is no evidence of the mosquitoes or larvae being detected in nearby public areas."

Dr César López-Camacho of the University of Oxford called the finding "important" but said it was not a reason for alarm.

Despite recent heatwaves, the overall UK climate remains too cold for <em>Aedes aegypti</em> to survive long-term, UKHSA said.

The mosquitoes were detected through the Mosquito Watch scheme, which monitors invasive species.

Medlock said the UK will continue to see invasive mosquitoes and that, as the climate warms, he expects more reports of them surviving.

Globally, dengue cases are increasing across the Western Pacific and Southeast Asia. These increases are fueled by climate change, globalisation and immunological naïveté, alongside the limited impact of existing control measures.

“While the current mosquitoes are unlikely to be infected, and so the risk to people will be low, their presence may indicate a regular summer event in future years. These mosquitoes will not survive the cooler weather of autumn or winter, but new introductions next year may lead to breeding again,” Martin Hibberd, Professor of Emerging Infectious Disease at the London School of Hygiene &amp; Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), said.

He said the mosquitoes live in and around human habitations and are well adapted to city life, requiring the right climate conditions, which the UK is now experiencing more regularly.

Dr Robert Jones, Assistant Professor in the Department of Disease Control at LSHTM, said: “Even in outbreak situations, only a fraction of mosquitoes are infected, so the risk to the public from this finding is very low.”

He advised people to make gardens and outdoor spaces less suitable for mosquitoes by removing standing water.

“Mosquitoes can lay eggs in buckets, containers, plant pots and other places where water accumulates, so removing standing water can help limit the places available for them to lay eggs and reduce the likelihood of populations becoming established.”

To lower your risk of dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases:

<ul><li>Wear clothes that cover as much of the body as possible</li><li>Use mosquito nets, ideally treated with insect repellent, when sleeping during the day</li><li>Install window screens</li><li>Use repellents containing DEET, picaridin or IR3535</li><li>Use coils and vaporizers</li></ul>

<h2>How To Stop Mosquitoes From Breeding?</h2>

<ul><li>Remove places where water can accumulate</li><li>Dispose of solid waste properly</li><li>Cover, empty and clean domestic water-storage containers weekly</li><li>Remove artificial containers that can hold water</li><li>Use appropriate insecticides in outdoor water-storage containers</li></ul>

Mosquito detection and eradication programs are key to preventing the problem from becoming a bigger public-health risk.

Health Conditions A-Z

health

dengue-chikungunya-zika-carrying-mosquito-breeding-in-uk-are-you-at-risk

Dengue

Chikungunya

Zika

Mosquito

Aedes aegypti breeding in UK

Aedes aegypti

pig-kidney-works-in-human-body-for-271-days-why-xenotransplants-could-bridge-the-organ-transplant-gap

Pig Kidney Works In Human Body For 271 Days: Why Xenotransplants Could Bridge The Organ Transplant Gap

alcohol-linked-cancer-deaths-doubled-in-us-colorectal-leads-in-men-breast-leads-in-women

Alcohol-Linked Cancer Deaths Doubled In US: Colorectal Leads In Men, Breast Leads In Women

Health News

8 Sit-Up Variations to Strengthen Your Core and Build Stability

Benefits Of Ayurvedic Health Supplement Ashwagandha

9 Anti-Inflammatory Breakfast Options You Should Try

5 Foods You Should Avoid For PCOS, Says Gynecologist

Love Sitting With Your Legs Crossed? Here’s You Should Avoid It

6 Daily Foods That Are Secretly Increasing Your Calories

9 Brain Boosters You Should Do Everyday

Hip Exercises That Will Keep You Flexible As You Age

9 Leg Exercises Office Workers’ Should Do At Home

Benefits of Having Herbal Tea Every Morning

9 Daily Habits That Boost Your Brain Power

Lower-Body Exercises That Are Game-Changers

How Drinking Apple Cider Vinegar Helps You

Aging Myths You Should Never Believe

Superfoods That Support Your Gut Health

What Happens To Your Body When You Eat Instant Noodles Every Day?

Health Issues Premature Babies Often Face

Exercises Office Workers Should Do For Their Heart Health

Reasons Why You Should Add Raw Turmeric To Your Diet

Benefits Of Drinking Milk At Night: Why You Should Do It

Food That Provides Vitamin B12 Naturally In Your Diet

Surprising Health Benefits Of Fenugreek Seeds

9 Superfoods You Should Eat For Your Brain Health

What Does Mental Health Support Look Like At Work?

Long Stretches You Should Do To Unwind From Your Day

Colon Cancer In Young Adults: Early Symptoms You Should Know

Health Benefits Of Eating Dry Fruits Everyday

Are You At Risk For Fried Rice Syndrome?

These Tests Reveal How Well You Are Aging

Lower-Back Exercises You Should Do After A Long-Day's Work

Children’s Diet – What Kids Need To Eat For Immunity Building

Common Diabetes Myths That Could Hurt Your Health

Love Spicy Food? Here’s How It Affects Your Health

Superfood List: Veggies And Fruits You Must Have For Immunity

Foods People With IBS Should Avoid

Exercises To Improve Digestion

Easy Work Lunches You Can Make In The Morning

Hunger Vs Craving: Difference Explained In 60 seconds

These Things Can Cause Your Heart To Age Faster

High Carb Foods That Are Actually Healthy

UK health officials have reported the breeding of an invasive mosquito species known to spread dengue, chikungunya and Zika viruses.While this is the fourth time Aedes aegypti has been detected in the UK, it is the first time the species has been found breeding. The mosquitoes were found reproducing in homes in east London.The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said the risk to the public is low, with no evidence of human infections linked to these mosquitoes.Officials believe the mosquitoes may have been accidentally imported in baggage, vehicles or plants. Measures to destroy larvae, along with surveillance and trapping, have been stepped up.What Does This Mean For Public Health?Mosquito-borne diseases kill more than one million people and infect up to 700 million each year.While Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are usually found in tropical and subtropical climates, the current risk to the UK public remains low. The species is unlikely to survive long-term in the UK's colder temperatures.UKHSA head of medical entomology Dr Jolyon Medlock said: "There is no evidence that these mosquitoes have caused human infections and importantly, to date, there is no evidence of the mosquitoes or larvae being detected in nearby public areas."Dr César López-Camacho of the University of Oxford called the finding "important" but said it was not a reason for alarm.Is Climate Change To Blame?Despite recent heatwaves, the overall UK climate remains too cold for Aedes aegypti to survive long-term, UKHSA said.The mosquitoes were detected through the Mosquito Watch scheme, which monitors invasive species.Medlock said the UK will continue to see invasive mosquitoes and that, as the climate warms, he expects more reports of them surviving.Globally, dengue cases are increasing across the Western Pacific and Southeast Asia. These increases are fueled by climate change, globalisation and immunological naïveté, alongside the limited impact of existing control measures.“While the current mosquitoes are unlikely to be infected, and so the risk to people will be low, their presence may indicate a regular summer event in future years. These mosquitoes will not survive the cooler weather of autumn or winter, but new introductions next year may lead to breeding again,” Martin Hibberd, Professor of Emerging Infectious Disease at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), said.He said the mosquitoes live in and around human habitations and are well adapted to city life, requiring the right climate conditions, which the UK is now experiencing more regularly.Dr Robert Jones, Assistant Professor in the Department of Disease Control at LSHTM, said: “Even in outbreak situations, only a fraction of mosquitoes are infected, so the risk to the public from this finding is very low.”He advised people to make gardens and outdoor spaces less suitable for mosquitoes by removing standing water.“Mosquitoes can lay eggs in buckets, containers, plant pots and other places where water accumulates, so removing standing water can help limit the places available for them to lay eggs and reduce the likelihood of populations becoming established.”How To Prevent Mosquito Bites?To lower your risk of dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases:Wear clothes that cover as much of the body as possibleUse mosquito nets, ideally treated with insect repellent, when sleeping during the dayInstall window screensUse repellents containing DEET, picaridin or IR3535Use coils and vaporizersHow To Stop Mosquitoes From Breeding?Remove places where water can accumulateDispose of solid waste properlyCover, empty and clean domestic water-storage containers weeklyRemove artificial containers that can hold waterUse appropriate insecticides in outdoor water-storage containersMosquito detection and eradication programs are key to preventing the problem from becoming a bigger public-health risk.

dengue, chikungunya, zika-carrying mosquito breeding in uk: are you at risk?

About Us

Contact Us

Terms & Conditions

Privacy Policy

Company

Health and Me is a premium website with content written and curated to function as a handbook for all Health concerns.

Dengue, Chikungunya, Zika-Carrying Mosquito Breeding In UK: Are You At Risk?

Pig Kidney Works In Human Body For 271 Days: Why Xenotransplants Could Bridge The Organ Transplant Gap

Alcohol-Linked Cancer Deaths Doubled In US: Colorectal Leads In Men, Breast Leads In Women

Ozempic Hair: GLP-1 Drug Use Linked To 7% Higher Baldness Risk In Men

Health Conditions A-Z

Dengue, Chikungunya, Zika-Carrying Mosquito Breeding In UK: Are You At Risk?

Pig Kidney Works In Human Body For 271 Days: Why Xenotransplants Could Bridge The Organ Transplant Gap

Alcohol-Linked Cancer Deaths Doubled In US: Colorectal Leads In Men, Breast Leads In Women