Symptoms of killer virus found in UK for first time
West Nile virus genetic material in mosquitoes has been detected in Britain for the first time - here are the symptoms of the virus that you need to look out for
As West Nile virus is detected in the United Kingdom, there are some key symptoms that will alert you to infection.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has identified fragments of West Nile Virus genetic material in mosquitoes collected in Britain for the first time.
West Nile virus is a vector-borne disease that belongs to the Flaviviridae family, which also includes viruses responsible for dengue and yellow fever. The virus is primarily found in birds and is typically transmitted through bird-biting mosquitoes. In rare instances, mosquitoes can spread the virus to humans or horses.
Around 1 in 5 individuals with the virus experience symptoms like fever, headache, body aches, joint pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, or a rash. While most people recover fully from these symptoms, fatigue and weakness can persist for weeks or even months.
In rare cases, the virus can cause severe illness. About 1 in 150 people infected with West Nile virus develop serious conditions affecting the central nervous system, such as encephalitis (brain inflammation) or meningitis (inflammation of the membranes around the brain and spinal cord).
Severe symptoms may include high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, confusion, coma, tremors, muscle weakness, vision problems, numbness, and even paralysis. Although anyone can develop severe illness, older adults (especially those aged 55 and above) are at greater risk, with about 1 in 50 in this age group experiencing severe symptoms. People with certain medical conditions, like cancer, diabetes, kidney disease, and those who have received organ transplants, are also at increased risk.
Recovery from severe illness can take weeks or months, and some individuals may experience long-term effects. Approximately 1 in 10 people who develop severe neurological symptoms may not survive.
However, most people infected with the West Nile virus show no symptoms. Around 8 out of 10 people who contract the virus will not experience any symptoms at all.
Dr Meera Chand, UKHSA Deputy Director for travel health, zoonoses, emerging infections, respiratory and tuberculosis, 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 is designed to give us early warning of potential threats so that we can enhance our disease surveillance and control activities and ensure patients receive appropriate testing.'
There have been no cases of locally acquired West Nile Virus detected in humans or horses in the UK to date, although 7 travel-associated cases have occurred since 2000.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
From grey poo to yellow eyes – the 14 signs of hep A infection after shop item leaves 95 Brits sick and 58 hospitalised
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) HEALTH officials are racing to track down a supermarket item feared to have sparked a major hepatitis A outbreak that's left nearly 100 Brits ill and 58 in hospital. The highly contagious virus, which attacks the liver, is spread through traces of poo from infected people. 2 It can cause grim symptoms including grey-coloured stools, yellowing eyes, exhaustion and vomiting and in some cases, can even be deadly. Since December 2024, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has logged 54 fresh cases, all suspected to be linked to a mystery item bought from an unnamed supermarket. Two separate 'clusters' of hepatitis A cases have been identified, one of which dates back as far as 2021. The earlier wave saw 19 people hospitalised, mostly aged 50 to 69. While a more recent surge, which began in January 2023 and is still ongoing, has seen 39 more patients struck down so badly they needed urgent treatment. Health bosses say they might have pinpointed a possible food source but have yet to name the product. Though rare in the UK, hepatitis A is highly contagious and often hits hardest in older adults or people with underlying liver issues. That's because the virus attacks the liver and triggers inflammation. It spreads through poor hygiene, contaminated water or food, and close personal contact - including sex. One killed and 10 hospitalized after 'eating McDonald's Quarter Pounders' in horror E. coli outbreak It is particularly common if you have been abroad in parts of the world with bad sanitation, including Africa, South Asia, the far East, Middle East and South America. Men who have sex with men and people who inject drugs are also more likely to catch the infection. Other symptoms of the disease include feeling generally unwell, joint and muscle pain and a high temperature, the NHS says. Losing your appetite, diarrhoea and pain in the upper right part of your tummy could also be a sign of the condition. These are often followed by jaundice, a warning sign your liver is struggling, which can turn your eyes yellow, darken your pee and leave your poo unusually pale. Some people, especially children, may not realise they're infected, as symptoms can be mild and hard to spot. 2 If your eyes or skin become yellow, it could be a sign of the disease Credit: Getty However, hepatitis A can last several months and also be deadly if it causes liver failure - when the organ stops working properly. If you, or your child, has symptoms, your GP can give you a blood test that will confirm an infection if you have it. If you've recently been exposed to the virus, it is also worth being tested. There's no cure, but most people recover within a few months and become immune for life. In the meantime, sufferers are urged to rest, avoid alcohol, and keep scrupulously clean to stop the virus spreading. You can get the virus from eating food made by someone who has not washed their hands properly or from drinking dirty water. Raw or uncooked shellfish from contaminated water or having close contact with someone with the virus can also put you at risk. There are no treatments for Hepatitis A but you can get a vaccine if you are at risk of the disease, which includes travellers, drug users, men who have sex with men, and people with chronic liver problems. Painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen can be taken to ease some of the symptoms and getting plenty of rest, avoiding alcohol and eating small meals are all recommended. Patients are also encouraged to stick to cool, ventilated environments, wear loose clothing and not take hot baths. If you suffer yellow eyes, you should stay off work or school and avoid having sex for at least a week, according to the NHS. Washing your hands with soap and water regularly is also recommended.
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
From grey poo to yellow eyes – the 14 signs of hep A infection after shop item leaves 95 Brits sick and 58 hospitalised
HEALTH officials are racing to track down a supermarket item feared to have sparked a major hepatitis A outbreak that's left nearly 100 Brits ill and 58 in hospital. The highly contagious virus, which attacks the liver, is spread through traces of poo from infected people. 2 It can cause grim symptoms including grey-coloured stools, yellowing eyes, exhaustion and vomiting and in some cases, can even be deadly. Since December 2024, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has logged 54 fresh cases, all suspected to be linked to a mystery item bought from an unnamed supermarket. Two separate 'clusters' of hepatitis A cases have been identified, one of which dates back as far as 2021. The earlier wave saw 19 people hospitalised, mostly aged 50 to 69. While a more recent surge, which began in January 2023 and is still ongoing, has seen 39 more patients struck down so badly they needed urgent treatment. Health bosses say they might have pinpointed a possible food source but have yet to name the product. Though rare in the UK, hepatitis A is highly contagious and often hits hardest in older adults or people with underlying liver issues. That's because the virus attacks the liver and triggers inflammation. It spreads through poor hygiene, contaminated water or food, and close personal contact - including sex. One killed and 10 hospitalized after 'eating McDonald's Quarter Pounders' in horror E. coli outbreak It is particularly common if you have been abroad in parts of the world with bad sanitation, including Africa, South Asia, the far East, Middle East and South America. Men who have sex with men and people who inject drugs are also more likely to catch the infection. Other symptoms of the disease include feeling generally unwell, joint and muscle pain and a high temperature, the NHS says. Losing your appetite, diarrhoea and pain in the upper right part of your tummy could also be a sign of the condition. These are often followed by jaundice, a warning sign your liver is struggling, which can turn your eyes yellow, darken your pee and leave your poo unusually pale. Some people, especially children, may not realise they're infected, as symptoms can be mild and hard to spot. 2 However, hepatitis A can last several months and also be deadly if it causes liver failure - when the organ stops working properly. If you, or your child, has symptoms, your GP can give you a blood test that will confirm an infection if you have it. If you've recently been exposed to the virus, it is also worth being tested. There's no cure, but most people recover within a few months and become immune for life. In the meantime, sufferers are urged to rest, avoid alcohol, and keep scrupulously clean to stop the virus spreading. You can get the virus from eating food made by someone who has not washed their hands properly or from drinking dirty water. Raw or uncooked shellfish from contaminated water or having close contact with someone with the virus can also put you at risk. There are no treatments for Hepatitis A but you can get a vaccine if you are at risk of the disease, which includes travellers, drug users, men who have sex with men, and people with chronic liver problems. Painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen can be taken to ease some of the symptoms and getting plenty of rest, avoiding alcohol and eating small meals are all recommended. Patients are also encouraged to stick to cool, ventilated environments, wear loose clothing and not take hot baths. If you suffer yellow eyes, you should stay off work or school and avoid having sex for at least a week, according to the NHS. Washing your hands with soap and water regularly is also recommended.
Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Four things to avoid amid Hepatitis A outbreak caused by supermarket food item
An investigation has been launched after a 'contaminated' supermarket item has led to a worrying outbreak of Hepatitis A - Brits have been warned to avoid four specific things A mysterious supermarket item has been linked to a worrying hepatitis outbreak that has left 58 Brits in hospital - and people have been warned to avoid four specific things. An investigation was launched after a "contaminated" item and outbreak is believed to have left as many as 95 people ill. The UK Health Security Agency confirmed two different clusters of the virus have been identified. Brits have been given a list of things they should avoid if they want to steer away from catching hepatitis A. Investigators are working to uncover the origins of the outbreak - which has reported 54 cases since 2024. This report said: "A particular food item purchased from a particular supermarket has emerged as a possible vehicle of transmission due to its frequent reported consumption." The supermarket item has not been named, despite officials having concerns it is a "possible vehicle of transmission". Hepatitis A is a liver infection which spreads in the poo of an infected person, according to the NHS. The infection is uncommon in the UK but Brits have been warned about four ways they could catch Hepatitis A. Hepatitis A can be caught by: drinking unclean water eating food that's been washed or grown in unclean water eating food that's been handled by an infected person close physical contact with an infected person, including having sex and sharing needles to take drugs The infection can lead to weakness, fatigue, a loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea, fever jaundice and abdominal pain. If left untreated, the infection could lead to liver problems in a small number of people. These problems could lead to liver failure and, in some circumstances, could be fatal. Hepatitis A usually clears up on its own between three to six months and doctors could offer medicines to infected people to help with certain symptoms. The NHS recommends people who have contracted the infection should not drink alcohol, prepare food or drink for other people, and should not share needles with others. People with symptoms have also been advised to limit contact with people for a week after their symptoms start, drink plenty of fluids and wash their hands thoroughly after going to the toilet, according to the NHS. The first cluster of the outbreak - in which cases were identified between January 2021 and March 2025 - of the hepatitis outbreak saw 19 people be hospitalised with the infection. Most people in the first group were aged between 50 and 69. The second wave of infections started in January 2023 with cases still being reported in March this year. No deaths have been linked to the report as of yet. Public Health Scotland is taking the lead in the investigation alongside officials with the UKHSA. Hepatitis is more common in parts of the world like Africa, Asia, the Middle East as well as South America.
