Latest news with #AnimalandPlantHealthAgency
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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
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.
Wales Online
22-05-2025
- Health
- Wales Online
Mad cow disease case found in UK - this is what we know
Mad cow disease case found in UK - this is what we know The Government said there was no risk to public health A non-contagious case of what is known as 'mad cow disease' has been identified on a British farm (Image: PA ) A case of what is known as 'mad cow disease' has been identified on a British farm. The discovery of a non-contagious case of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) was identified on a farm in Essex, leading to the animal being humanely culled, according to the Government. The Government has said there is no risk to public health, as it was not intended to enter the food chain. It was an 'atypical' strand of the disease, according to the Animal and Plant Health Agency, meaning it will not affect food safety. Chief veterinary officer Christine Middlemiss explained how the animal was tested as part of its "strict routine controls and surveillance regime." The cow was humanely culled after showing symptoms and subsequently tested positive. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here Only one case was identified by the agency, and had occurred 'spontaneously'. Article continues below In the 1990s, an epidemic of BSE saw millions of cattle culled in the UK. Ms Middlemiss said: "Atypical BSE is distinct from classical BSE and is a spontaneously and sporadically occurring, non-contagious disease which is believed to occur at a very low level in all cattle populations. "This is proof that our surveillance system for detecting and containing this type of disease is working." BSE mainly affects cattle and can be detected by looking closely for behavioural changes. Other things to look out for include incoordination and nervousness or aggression. The latest incident comes just months after a single case of BSE was detected at a farm in Scotland. Article continues below The disease was identified on a farm in Dumfries and Galloway in December last year. Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here . We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions and ads from us and our partners. See our Privacy Notice.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
West Nile virus detected in UK mosquitoes for first time
West Nile virus, which mainly spreads between birds but can also infect people if they're bitten by an infected mosquito, has been detected in UK mosquitoes for the first time, UK health officials say. Although the virus can sometimes make people seriously ill, there is no evidence it is spreading in the UK and the risk to the general public is "very low", the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said. The virus is found in many parts of the world, including Africa, South America and mainland Europe. Climate change and other factors have been pushing mosquitoes - and the diseases they carry - further north in recent years. West Nile virus causes either very minor symptoms or none at all - but around 20% of infected people can experience headaches, high fever and skin issues. In rare cases, it can kill through serious brain illnesses, including encephalitis or meningitis. No specific treatment or vaccines exist for humans. To date, there have been no human cases of West Nile virus acquired in the UK - although, since 2000, there have been seven cases of the disease linked to travel to other countries. West Nile virus is usually present in several regions across the world, including parts of Africa, Asia, South America and Europe, and has expanded in recent years. Research by the UKHSA and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) found fragments of the virus in mosquitoes collected at ponds near Retford, Nottinghamshire in 2023. "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," said Dr Meera Chand, a deputy director for travel health and infections at UKHSA. Dr Arran Folly, who led the project which found the virus, said its detection is part of a "wider changing landscape, where, in the wake of climate change mosquito-borne diseases are expanding to new areas". While the Aedes vexans mosquito is native to Britain, he added that warming temperatures may bring non-native species to the UK and, with them, the potential of infectious disease. Prof James Logan, from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, said the development was "serious" but there was no need for the public to be alarmed. He said surveillance systems were in place to monitor increased mosquito activity and shifting bird migration caused by warmer weather. "But as conditions change, we need to stay one step ahead," he said. "This is a moment to recognise that the UK is no longer immune to some diseases once considered 'tropical'." Prof Logan said the virus is likely to have arrived via an infected bird or mosquito, which can both travel considerable distances during seasonal migration. Infected mosquitoes can transmit the virus to humans, he said, but there was "no evidence of human infection acquired in the UK". "However, the detection of the virus in mosquitoes marks a significant step in that direction," he added. Heather Ferguson, professor of infectious disease ecology at Glasgow University, said several mosquito species native the UK were "known to be capable for transmitting the virus", but do not do so at present because the conditions, such as temperature, "are not favourable". But she said this could change in the future, which is why lots of monitoring, testing and surveillance is always needed. The affected mosquito, one of many thousands of species of mosquito, is often found in wet areas. Experts recommend getting rid of standing water sources where they breed, and taking personal measures such as using mosquito repellent and bed nets. Last year, protests were held in Seville, Spain, after the death of five people infected with the disease. Protests in Seville as West Nile virus kills five
Euronews
21-05-2025
- Health
- Euronews
West Nile virus detected in mosquitoes for the first time in the UK
West Nile virus has been detected in mosquitoes in the United Kingdom for the first time, as rising temperatures raise the risk that vector-borne diseases will become more common in Europe. There have been no human infections in the UK so far, and the risk to the general public is 'very low,' according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). But the agency is ramping up surveillance and advising doctors to test certain patients whose health issues could be linked to the virus. Fragments of West Nile virus were found in two groups of mosquitoes collected in wetlands in Nottinghamshire in July 2023, the agency said. Another 198 pools of mosquito samples collected in the same area tested negative for the virus. '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,' Dr Meera Chand, UKHSA's deputy director for travel health, zoonoses, emerging infections, respiratory and tuberculosis, said in a statement. West Nile, which is in the same family of viruses as dengue and yellow fever, is often found in birds and spreads through mosquito bites. People can also be infected, though about 80 per cent will have no symptoms. The virus was first identified in Uganda in 1937, and it's commonly found in Africa, the Middle East, North America, and West Asia. It has appeared more frequently in northern and western Europe in recent years as warmer weather tied to climate change makes the region more hospitable for mosquitoes. '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,' Dr Arran Folly, an arbovirologist at the UK's Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), said in a statement. In places where West Nile virus is more common, people tend to be infected in the summer months. Most people either have no or mild, flu-like symptoms, but in rare cases it can lead to neurological issues, such as brain swelling or meningitis. In light of the virus' detection in the UK, doctors are being advised 'as a precaution' to run additional tests on people with unexplained brain swelling, or encephalitis, the UKHSA said. There is no vaccine or targeted treatment for West Nile virus. James Logan, a professor of medical entomology at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, called on public health and veterinary authorities to boost their surveillance to 'stay one step ahead' of the virus. 'This is a moment to recognise that the UK is no longer immune to some diseases once considered 'tropical,'' Logan said in a statement. 'We are entering an era where we must learn to live smarter in a bug's world'.
