"Scientists have issued an urgent warning after mosquitoes capable of spreading three deadly tropical diseases were detected in Britain for the first time. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has discovered eggs belonging to both the Egyptian mosquito (Aedes aegypti) and the tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus). Worryingly, these species are capable of carrying diseases including dengue fever, chikungunya and Zika viruses."
"The Egyptian mosquito and tiger mosquito used to be limited to subtropical regions of Africa and Asia. However, the disease-carrying pests have now spread beyond their native territory, with tiger mosquitoes establishing populations in southern and central Europe. Between 2020 and 2025, researchers from the UKHSA installed specialised insect traps at seaports, airports, and transport hubs on highways across the country."
Eggs of the Egyptian mosquito (Aedes aegypti) and the tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) were detected in Britain for the first time, raising disease transmission concerns. The species can carry dengue, chikungunya and Zika viruses. UKHSA monitoring over 2020–2025 found Egyptian mosquito eggs at a freight facility near Heathrow in 2023 and tiger mosquito eggs near an M20 service station in 2024. Evidence so far indicates these were limited incursions and neither species is established in the UK. The UKHSA carried out enhanced local surveillance and breeding-site removal, and no further specimens were found. Warming climate and milder winters increase the risk of future establishment.
Read at Mail Online
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