Latest news with #Aedesalbopictus
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Trio of killer viruses to hit UK 'any time now' - and there's no treatment
Experts are warning that the UK could soon be at risk of dangerous mosquito-borne viruses, with the tropical diseases set to take hold in Britain for the first time Infectious disease experts are warning that it's a matter of when, not if, climate change will see serious mosquito-borne viruses hit the UK for the first time. Rising temperatures have already created ideal conditions for the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) to spread in London and the southeast - currently the country's warmest regions. This means that diseases once limited to warmer climates - such as dengue fever, chikungunya, and Zika - could soon take hold in Britain for the first time. According to the UK Health Security Agency, have already detected eggs in the UK on eight occasions, and Professor Steven Sinkins, an expert in microbiology and tropical medicine at Glasgow University, warns transmission could be right around the corner. "It could happen any time," he told the i Paper. "It is possible that over a hot summer the mosquitoes reach sufficient numbers for transmission to occur. Eggs of this mosquito have been detected in Kent and London in the last few years, and the climate in southern England is suitable for it to become established. If that happens it will both cause biting nuisance and also probably transmit viruses such as dengue and chikungunya in the summertime. "There is growing concern that it will eventually become established in the UK and cause outbreaks of dengue and chikungunya, as is being seen in France and Italy. "Dengue can be fatal and chikungunya can cause long-term joint pain and disability." Symptoms of the diseases typically include fever, headache, fatigue, nausea, and joint or muscle pain. These illnesses can prove fatal, particularly for those with pre-existing medical conditions or a compromised immune system. Chikungunya fever (CHIKV) is a viral illness transmitted by mosquitoes. It cannot be passed from human to human. Its name means "to become contorted" or "stooped walk," referring to the intense joint and muscle pain it causes. According to the Mayo Clinic, there is no treatment. The majority of people infected with CHIKV develop a sudden fever and severe pain in multiple joints. Other symptoms may include headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, or rash. Symptoms typically appear 2 to 7 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. These symptoms typically resolve within 7 to 10 days, and most patients make a full recovery. However, in some cases joint pain and arthritis may persist for several months or even years. Occasional cases of eye, neurological and heart complications have been reported, as well as gastrointestinal complaints. While a chikungunya vaccine has been approved in the UK, there is currently no specific treatment for the infection. The vaccine contains a form of the virus that has been weakened in the laboratory so it cannot multiply. The vaccine works by training the immune system (the body's natural defences) to recognise CHIKV and it is then able to produce specific antibodies which attack the virus. Most people recover within a few weeks, but for some, joint and muscle pain can persist for months or even years after the initial infection. The warning follows news that the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) recently detected West Nile virus in mosquitoes in the UK for the first time. This is believed to be linked to a rise in Aedes vexans mosquitoes - another species capable of transmitting the virus - due to warmer conditions. The UKHSA emphasized that the public risk remains 'very low,' as there is no evidence any infected mosquitoes have bitten humans. The virus was found during routine mosquito surveillance, and is thought to have come from a UK mosquito biting a migratory bird carrying the virus—not from an established local transmission. Currently, West Nile virus is not circulating in the UK. However, if it were to become established, it could spread among birds and mosquitoes, significantly increasing human infection risk. Scientists say this detection highlights the broader concern: as the UK climate warms, the threat from mosquito-borne diseases is growing - and with it, the need for ongoing vigilance and public health preparedness.
Sinar Daily
5 days ago
- Health
- Sinar Daily
Dengue, chikungunya may soon be endemic in Europe
Roughly half the world's population is already at risk of contracting the two diseases, which were once mainly confined to tropical regions. 25 May 2025 08:00pm Photo for illustration purpose only. - File photo by Bernama PARIS - The feverish diseases dengue and chikungunya could soon become endemic in Europe as the tiger mosquitoes that transmit these viruses spread farther north due to global warming, according to new research published recently. Roughly half the world's population is already at risk of contracting the two diseases, which were once mainly confined to tropical regions. Photo for illustrative purposes only - 123RF photo Both viruses cause fevers and can be deadly in rare cases, spread by the mosquitoes Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. The latter, which is known as the tiger mosquito, is venturing further north as the world warms because of human-driven climate change. The new study, published in the Lancet Planetary Health journal, analyses the impact a number of factors including the climate have had on the spread of the two diseases in Europe over the last 35 years. The frequency and severity of outbreaks have increased since 2010 as temperatures have risen, according to the study. Yet just over 300 cases of dengue were recorded in the European Union in 2024 -- the hottest year on record -- compared to 275 over the previous 15 years. Dengue outbreaks have now hit Italy, Croatia, France and Spain. "Our findings highlight that the EU is transitioning from sporadic outbreaks of Aedes-borne diseases towards an endemic state," it said. The higher temperatures soar, the greater the risk of outbreaks caused by tiger mosquitoes, the European research team said. Under worst-case climate change scenarios, outbreaks of both diseases could rise to five times the current rate by 2060, they projected. Outbreaks have been more common in wealthier areas, suggesting that better testing is able to spot the virus -- and that cases could be going undetected in poorer areas, the study suggested. The French Indian Ocean island of Reunion has recently endured a deadly outbreak of chikungunya. Tiger mosquitoes can also transmit the zika and West Nile viruses, which were not studied in the latest research. - AFP More Like This
Saba Yemen
5 days ago
- Health
- Saba Yemen
Study: Reveals How Viral Infection Turns Your Joints into Source of Chronic Pain
Washington - (Saba): A recent scientific study has revealed that the mysterious mechanism by which the chikungunya virus causes chronic joint pain closely resembles autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis. Although most cases resolve spontaneously within one to two weeks, approximately 30-40% of patients may suffer from chronic joint pain that lasts for months or even years, with some potentially developing rheumatoid-like arthritis. Chikungunya virus is the virus that causes chikungunya disease (CHIKV), an acute infection transmitted to humans through the bites of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, the two species responsible for transmitting dengue fever. The disease is characterized by the sudden onset of symptoms, including a high fever and severe joint pain, particularly in the extremities, accompanied by a rash, muscle pain, and headache. The results of a new study, published in the journal Cell Reports Medicine, pave the way for a deeper understanding of the complex relationship between this viral infection and autoimmune diseases. The study, conducted by a team from the La Jolla Institute for Immunology, analyzed blood samples from patients exposed to chikungunya in Colombia. The researchers tracked the behavior of immune cells, particularly CD4+ helper T cells, in combating the virus. What surprised the research team was the discovery that these cells—and not CD8+ killer T cells, as expected—led the fight against the virus and persisted in the body for years after the infection cleared. The data show that 87% of patients retained these cells in their blood six years after the initial infection, while killer cells were detected in only 13% of cases. Even more striking is that these helper cells switch to a "monofunctional" pattern, essentially secreting the inflammatory molecule TNF-alpha continuously, even after the virus has been eliminated. This abnormal behavior of immune cells closely resembles what we see in autoimmune diseases, where the immune system attacks healthy body tissue. "We would normally expect to see this pattern of immune response in autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, not in viral infections," says Dr. Daniela Weisskopf, lead researcher of the study. This discovery provides a compelling scientific explanation for why many patients suffer from chronic joint pain that can persist for years after contracting the virus. These findings are particularly important in light of the widespread spread of the virus in more than 110 countries, and the similarity of its symptoms to other conditions such as "long COVID" and the long-term effects of dengue fever. They also open the door to developing more precise treatments that target these specific inflammatory pathways, and perhaps the use of TNF-alpha inhibitors, which have proven effective in some autoimmune diseases. Whatsapp Telegram Email Print more of (International)
Al-Ahram Weekly
17-05-2025
- Health
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Dengue and chikungunya may soon become endemic in Europe - Health - Life & Style
Dengue and chikungunya diseases may soon become endemic in Europe as the tiger mosquitoes that carry these viruses spread further north due to global warming according to a new research. Approximately half of the world's population is now at risk of contracting the two diseases, which until recently were mainly found in tropical regions. Both viruses cause fever and in rare cases can be deadly. They are spread by the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, AFP reports. The latter, known as the tiger mosquito, is spreading further north as the world warms due to man-made climate change. The new study, published in the journal Lancet Planetary Health, analyses the impact of a number of factors, including climate, on the spread of the two diseases in Europe over the past 35 years. According to the study, the frequency and severity of outbreaks have increased since 2010 as temperatures have risen. Yet in 2024, the hottest year on record, the EU recorded just over 300 cases of dengue compared to 275 in the previous 15 years. Dengue outbreaks have already affected Italy, Croatia, France and Spain. "Our findings highlight that the EU is moving from sporadic outbreaks of Aedes-borne diseases to an endemic state," the report said. The higher the temperatures, the greater the risk of outbreaks caused by tiger mosquitoes, says the European research team. Under a worst-case climate change scenario, outbreaks of both diseases could increase to five times the current number by 2060, they predict. Outbreaks are more common in wealthier areas, suggesting that better tests are able to detect the virus - and that cases may go undetected in poorer areas, the research suggests. The French Indian Ocean island of Réunion recently experienced a deadly chikungunya outbreak. Tiger mosquitoes can also carry the Zika and West Nile viruses, which were not studied in the latest study. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
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First Post
16-05-2025
- Health
- First Post
Europe has a new problem with mosquitoes. Here's why its serious
New research shows that dengue and chikungunya could soon become endemic in Europe. The study, published in The Lancet Planetary Health, was conducted by researchers in Sweden and Germany and examined the spread of dengue and chikungunya in Europe for over three decades. Here's what it showed and why it blamed climate change read more A new study shows that dengue and chikungunya could soon become endemic in Europe. Europe has a new problem. A new study shows that dengue and chikungunya could soon become endemic on the continent. The reason for this? Climate change is causing mosquitoes to spread to Europe. But what happened? What do we know? Let's take a closer look: What do we know? The study was published in The Lancet Planetary Health. It was conducted by researchers in Sweden and Germany. As per Politico, the study looked at the spread of dengue and chikungunya in Europe over the past three decades. Dengue and chikungunya are spread by the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes respectively. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Around half of the world's population is at risk of dengue. There are an estimated 100–400 million infections occurring each year. It is usually found in tropical and sub-tropical climes. In severe cases, dengue can be fatal. Chikungunya is a disease caused by the virus of the same name. The latter is known as a tiger mosquito. Its symptoms are remarkably close to that of dengue. The data showed that as temperatures spiked since 2010, outbreaks have recurred more frequently and become worse. 'Our findings highlight that the EU is transitioning from sporadic outbreaks of Aedes-borne diseases towards an endemic state,' the study stated. It found that the European Union in 2024, the hottest year on record, witnessed 304 dengue cases. That number was 'a historic peak compared with the combined total of 275 cases in the previous 15 years,' the study said. Meanwhile, Italy, Croatia, France and Spain all saw dengue outbreaks. 'The trend suggests a progression from sporadic cases towards endemicity in these countries,' the study read. Why is this happening? Because global warming is making tiger mosquitos venture further north. The French Indian Ocean island of Reunion, for example, recently witnessed a deadly outbreak of chikungunya. The higher that temperatures go, the more the risk of outbreaks from tiger mosquitoes, the researchers said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'Climatic variables emerged as the strongest predictors of outbreak risk, even after accounting for health-care expenditure and imported case numbers,' said the team including from Umea University (Sweden) and University of Heidelberg (Germany). 'Warmer summer temperatures were found to substantially elevate outbreak risk, particularly in urban and semi-urban settings, whereas human travel and mobility were found to facilitate the spread of these two Aedes-borne diseases,' they added. The year 2024 was the hottest on record. Reuters. Researchers said both dengue and chikungunya could increase five times their current rate by 2060 – if the worst climate change scenarios occur. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control in June 2024 found just 130 locally acquired cases of dengue in the EU/EEA in 2023. That number was at 71 in the decade between 2010 and 2021. According to European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control data, most outbreaks (95 per cent) took place between July and September of 2024, with 64 occurring in the third quarter of the year. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The study underscored the urgent need for robust public health measures, including stringent vector control, enhanced entomological and disease surveillance, citizen science, and early warning systems. 'In the context of a warming climate, mitigating the transition to endemicity will require proactive, vigilant, and well-targeted public health interventions,' the team said. With inputs from agencies
