Blackbirds under new threat after mosquito-borne disease arrives in UK
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Killer mosquito-borne disease threatening English blackbirds
- A killer disease called Usutu, first detected in the UK in 2020, is spreading across southern England.
- The virus, originating from Africa, is particularly harmful to blackbirds, with a 40 per cent population decline observed in Greater London.
- Usutu is transmitted by mosquitoes, which are becoming more prevalent in northern Europe due to climate change and warmer temperatures.
- While the virus can also infect horses and humans, the risk to people is considered low.
- Scientists are monitoring the spread of Usutu, concerned about its potential impact on the UK's blackbird population.