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First Post
3 days ago
- Health
- First Post
In a first, UK reports West Nile virus in mosquitoes; experts blame it on climate change
In what is being seen a consequence of climate change, the West Nile virus has been detected in the United Kingdom for the first time. As temperatures are rising across the world, diseases are popping in places with no history of that disease. The West Nile virus in the UK is just one such example. read more A vector control team vehicle displays a sign warning of West Nile Virus before the early morning spraying of a neighborhood due to increasing numbers of mosquitoes having tested positive for West Nile virus in San Diego, California, U.S. May 18, 2016. (Representative Photo, Credit: Reuters) For the first time, the West Nile virus has been detected in the United Kingdom. Climate change is being considered as the culprit. In a routine mosquito surveillance programme, the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) found the West Nile virus in a batch of aedes vexans mosquitoes collected from marshlands on Idle river in Nottinghamshire. No case has been detected in the UK so far and experts say that the risk of an outbreak is very low. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD While the West Nile virus has been endemic to Africa and West Asia for decades, the climate change-induced warming up of Europe has brought the virus to the continent as well. The UK is the latest European country to report the virus. The West Nile virus is primarily found in birds. Mosquitoes that bite birds get the virus and occasionally transfer it to humans with their bites. As much as 80 per cent of human infections cause no symptoms and severe infections are rare. In severe cases, encephalitis can occur and can lead to brain damage and even death. While the virus is not contagious among humans, it can spread from an infected person via blood transfusion, organ transplants, pregnancy, or breastfeeding. Climate change brings West Nile virus to UK The confirmation of the West Nile virus in the UK follows warnings that carriers of vector-borne diseases, such as dengue and yellow fever, are moving northwards from their traditional areas due to climate change. Dr Arran Folly, an arbovirologist at the APHA and head of the surveillance programme that found the virus in the UK told Guardian that the discovery is 'part of a wider changing landscape where, in the wake of climate change, mosquito-borne diseases are expanding to new areas'. The warming up of a place makes it likelier for the West Nile virus to grow. At 15*C, it takes many months for the virus to reach infectious level, which is much more than a mosquito's average lifespan. At 30*C, however, the same process can happen in two-three weeks, which is within a mosquito's average lifespan. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In an article for The Conversation, Dr Paul Hunter noted that while the exact route of West Nile virus to the UK is not clear, it is believed that the virus may have arrived via migratory birds infected elsewhere. So far, conditions ripe for a West Nile virus outbreak in the UK have not been reached but that could change if temperatures keep rising. 'For a local outbreak to occur, there would need to be a critical mass of infected birds and mosquitoes, with enough warm weather to sustain multiple cycles of transmission. So far, that hasn't happened in the UK. But climate change could alter the equation. With rising global temperatures and longer, hotter summers, the conditions that allow viruses such as West Nile to spread may become more common in the UK,' noted Hunter, a specialist in medical microbiology and virology. As temperatures are rising across the world, diseases are being reported in places with no history of that disease. The West Nile virus in the UK is just one such example. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Epoch Times
4 days ago
- Health
- Epoch Times
What's Behind the Collapse of Australia's 2nd Largest Private Healthcare Provider?
News Analysis Analysts say the collapse of Healthscope, Australia's second-largest private hospital operator, reveals deeper structural problems with the sector. The decision to put the group into receivership raises concerns about the future of its 37 hospitals, 19,000 staff, and 650,000 annual patients. Dr. Tanveer Ahmed, psychiatrist and medical director at Kellyville Private Hospital, believes the seeds were sown during the pandemic. 'The government was basically holding up the private hospital sector through the pandemic. They effectively became guarantor of the entire system,' he told The Epoch Times. While government support during the pandemic—$1.5 billion through the Private Hospital Financial Viability Payment (FVP)—provided temporary relief, Ahmed said the cost of wages and compliance have continued to surge, while revenues have barely moved. An Issue With How Health Insurers Pay Hospitals A central point of tension lies in the pricing and profit-sharing model between hospitals and insurers. According to available data, health funds contributed over $270 million of revenue in the last two years. Related Stories 2/27/2025 12/1/2024 'The health insurers are actually making quite good profits, while the private hospitals are really struggling,' said Ahmed. The Australian Private Hospitals Association (APHA) has lobbied the government to deal with an alleged funding imbalance where insurance companies can dictate what type of pricing it wants for hospital services. According to Australian Prudential Regulation Authority data, insurers earned over $5 billion in profits over the past three years, while allegedly underpaying hospitals by $3 billion in care costs. Simultaneously, they charge $3.5 billion annually in 'management fees,' which are a portion of the premiums that are paid to insurers each year. The issue is, these fees also eat into the funds that go towards hospitals. 'When you're underpaid for services, more patients or births only increase the shortfall. It's fixable—and doesn't have to cost taxpayers a cent. What's needed is the political will to make insurers pay fairly,' said APHA CEO Brett Heffernan. Maternity Care Costs Driving Mums into Public System One of the most strained services is maternity care. Births at private hospitals have dropped from 30 percent to 19 percent over the past decade, with families preferring public services. Insurance policies frequently exclude obstetric services, even for patients with 'gold' level coverage. Many are shocked to discover they must pay up to $10,000 in out-of-pocket expenses for a childbirth. This hidden coverage gap has pushed many expectant mothers back into the public system, further burdening taxpayers. A Monash University study estimates that the cost of filling this gap could reach $1 billion annually. The federal government has pledged $16 million to support maternity services in Hobart and Gosford after recent closures, but critics argue this is merely a temporary fix. 'Wouldn't a proactive approach to fixing the funding mess in the first place have been a better way to go?' said Heffernan. '$16 million is a very expensive taxpayer band-aid applied after the fact.' Private Hospitals Need to Bear the Consequences: Health Advisor Yet some say private hospitals need to do better at managing their operations. 'A private hospital company is a business. If it can't meet its commercial and financial obligations, it needs to face the consequences,' said Terry Barnes, principal at Cormorant Policy Advice and a former health advisor in the Abbott government. 'It's easy to blame private health insurers by saying they don't pay enough for the health fund members who use private hospitals. But if an operator is in trouble through its own poor management or commercial judgment, policy holders shouldn't be expected to carry the can for what's beyond their control,' Barnes told The Epoch Times. 'Nor should taxpayers be expected to bail out financially troubled operators like Healthscope.' Barnes said the key now was to engage with banks and creditors to keep Healthscope going. Insurers Concerned About Fraud With 'No Gap' Fees Health insurers have, in turn, highlighted issues in the medical profession. In November 2024, allegations surfaced against nearly 50 doctors accused of defrauding Medicare and patients by charging under-the-table fees while claiming 'no gap' billing. 'These allegations are deeply disturbing,' said Dr. Rachel David, CEO of Private Healthcare Australia. 'You do not expect [specialists] to be financially exploiting you at your most vulnerable.' Insurers have urged patients to examine their bills and act if they suspect fraud. In one health fund survey, 31 percent of patients under 'no gap' arrangements were charged fees, and 23 percent of those under 'known gap' terms paid beyond allowable limits. A Broken System Without Transparency In November 2024, the government released a summary of its Private Hospital Sector Financial Health Check. It revealed that between 2018 and 2022, hospital expenses rose by 4.1 percent annually, outpacing revenue growth of just 2.9 percent. Hospital operators argue that the report confirms what they have long warned: the system is unsustainable. Yet the analysis was based on voluntary disclosures, and the full data remains unpublished due to confidentiality concerns. Meanwhile, contract negotiations between insurers and hospitals have dragged on with little progress. Federal Health Minister Mark Butler described Healthscope's situation as 'unique' but admitted that the broader sector faced 'challenges.'
Daily Mirror
24-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
UK households warned to check on blackbirds if they come into gardens
Scientists warn that a deadly disease has been culling blackbird populations - here's what you need to know and the signs that blackbirds in your garden may be infected Scientists have urged those with blackbirds flitting around their garden to watch out – as they may be carrying a horrifying mosquito-borne disease. Alarms have been raised after almost half the species' population has been killed by the sickness. Known as the Usutu virus, it has decimated the London blackbird population by about 40% since 2020. Now the disease is spreading rapidly across the UK and, in particular, southern England. To combat its spread, garden-owners have been urged to monitor any blackbirds that they see in their garden. Dr Arran Folly from the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) told the BBC: "We've seen that the virus has spread further than we thought it might do, and it's persisted. Blackbirds specifically are quite susceptible to the virus.' He added that its prevalence indicates that the UK might see other viruses that are transmitted by mosquitoes beginning to emerge. Particularly in warmer weather conditions. Scientists from the APHA in Weybridge, Surrey, have warned this may be linked to climate change. Hotter temperatures and heavier rainfall make it easier for mosquitos to spread in climates previously inhospitable to them. The Usutu virus was first discovered in southern Africa 80 years ago as a deadly zoonotic disease that mainly spread between mosquitos and birds. It was first detected in Austria in 2001 and has been spreading through Europe since. It reached the UK in 2020, where it was picked up for the first time after several blackbirds in the London area were found to be carrying it, following that year's summer heatwave. Signs that a blackbird may be suffering from Usutu include weakness and lethargy, poor co-ordination, ruffled feathers and a drooping head or wings. They also display a reluctance to fly. More seriously, watch out for birds suffering from seizures or gasping for breath. Although, it's important to remember that they may not display any obvious signs. The virus can be highly deadly, as it infects multiple organs in the bird's body. This includes the kidneys and the brain. Scientists and The British Trust for Ornithology are calling for volunteers to count blackbirds in their gardens over the summer months. This is to help them find out more about the comings and goings of the birds. As reported by The Sun, The British Trust for Ornithology said: "The Blackbirds in Gardens project will help us understand how Blackbirds use gardens, and the potential effects of the Usutu virus on their population in the UK.' The survey will run until September and takes 15 minutes to complete.
The Independent
23-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Deadly West Nile virus found in UK mosquitoes. What you need to know
For the first time, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has detected signs of the West Nile virus in mosquitoes within the UK, prompting increased disease surveillance. While the risk to the public remains "very low," the UKHSA has confirmed that surveillance and control measures are being intensified. This development comes as experts warn that climate change is driving the spread of mosquito-borne diseases to new regions. 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. What is the West Nile virus? 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. While there have been no cases of West Nile Virus acquired in the UK, seven cases linked to travel have been identified since the year 2000. The UKHSA said there is 'no evidence to suggest ongoing circulation of the virus in birds or mosquitoes in the UK'. But it said that 'disease surveillance and control activities are being enhanced in light of the findings'. And it is issuing advice to health workers so that patients with encephalitis – or swelling of the brain – of an unknown cause can be tested as a precaution. Dr Meera Chand, from the UKHSA, 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.' What are the symptoms of West Nile Virus? West Nile Virus, which typically causes flu-like symptoms but can lead to severe illness, is endemic in various parts of the world and experts said that the 'geographic range' has expanded in recent years to more northerly and western regions of mainland Europe. The UKHSA said that as temperatures warm due to climate change, tick and mosquito species not currently native to the UK will begin to find the UK's climate more 'bearable'. Other types of mosquito can arrive in the UK by various means including becoming trapped in cars and lorries crossing borders and in shipping containers. Dr Arran Folly, from the APHA, added: 'The detection of West Nile virus in the UK is part of a wider changing landscape where, in the wake of climate change, mosquito-borne diseases are expanding to new areas. 'Our primary focus is to understand how viruses move into the country and how they are transmitted. 'Combined, this can help us identify areas that may be at increased risk of outbreaks.' Dr Jolyon Medlock, from the UKHSA, added: ' Mosquitoes in the UK are also commonly found in wet woodland areas and various aquatic habitats, including ponds, ditches, marshes, and even garden water butts or cisterns. 'To avoid being bitten by a mosquito when in these types of areas, wear long-sleeved clothing and trousers to cover your arms and legs, use insect repellent on your skin (ideally one that contains the ingredient DEET), close windows and doors whenever possible, or use blinds or screens.'
Medscape
21-05-2025
- Health
- Medscape
West Nile Virus Found in UK Mosquitoes for the First Time
Genetic fragments of the West Nile virus (WNV) have been detected in mosquitoes in the UK for the first time during a national surveillance programme. The virus was identified in two samples of the Aedes vexans species of mosquito collected in July 2023 from wetlands on the River Idle near Gamston in Nottinghamshire. These results are part of the Vector-Borne RADAR (Real-time Arbovirus Detection And Response) programme, which uses polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing to detect zoonotic, mosquito-borne viruses in the UK. The programme is run by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA). The UKHSA said that more than 30,000 mosquitoes and 300 birds from high-risk areas of England were tested in 2023 and 2024. All other samples tested negative. Detection of WNV in mosquitoes in the UK is 'not unexpected', according to Dr Meera Chand, deputy director at the UKHSA, who explained that the virus is already widespread in Europe. 'The risk to the general public is currently assessed as very low,' she added. Migratory Birds May Have Brought WNV to UK WNV is a vector-borne disease of the Flaviviridae family, which also includes the viruses that cause dengue and yellow fever. It is usually found in birds, and typically circulates through bird-biting mosquitoes. Professor Grant Hughes, from the Department of Vector Biology at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, told the Science Media Centre: 'The virus potentially entered the UK via migratory birds.' In rare cases mosquitoes can transmit the virus to humans or horses. However, there have been no cases of locally acquired WNV detected in humans or horses in the UK to date, the UKHSA noted. James Logan, professor of medical entomology at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, said, 'the detection of the virus in mosquitoes marks a significant step in that direction'. Most people infected with WNV are asymptomatic or present with mild influenza-like symptoms that resolve within a few days. However, a small number of cases — fewer than 1% — develop more severe illness, including encephalitis. The UKHSA has issued advice to healthcare professionals to consider WNV testing for patients with unexplained encephalitis. Testing is available through the UKHSA's Rare and Imported Pathogens Laboratory. Nuisance Biting Aedes vexans is native to the UK and, although uncommon, can occur at high densities in river floodplains and lakes. They are known to cause considerable nuisance biting to humans where aquatic areas are close to habitation. 'Mosquitoes breed in a range of natural wetlands, but can also be common in gardens – breeding in container habitats like water butts and buckets,' highlighted Dr Jolyon Medlock, head of medical entomology and zoonoses ecology at the UKHSA. The agency encourages the public to report unusual mosquito activity via its mosquito surveillance scheme . Climate Changes WNV is endemic in parts of Africa, Asia, the Americas, and southern Europe. Its range has expanded in recent years, reaching more northern and western parts of Europe. The UKHSA's 2023 report on climate change and health warned that climate change could lead to mosquitoes carrying dengue fever becoming established in parts of southern England by the middle of the century, as well as a rise in vector-borne diseases. 'The detection of West Nile Virus in the UK is part of a wider changing landscape where, in the wake of climate change, mosquito-borne diseases are expanding to new areas,' said Dr Arran Folly, arbovirologist at the APHA and lead of the Vector-Borne RADAR programme. Professor Matthew Baylis, chair in veterinary epidemiology at the University of Liverpool, called for increased surveillance in mosquitoes, birds, and humans. For now, the UKHSA advises that the main risk to UK residents remains travel to countries where WNV is endemic.
