Two species of disease-carrying mosquitoes found in UK
New mosquitoes pose ‘significant public health threat’
- Two species of disease-carrying mosquitoes, Aedes aegypti (Egyptian mosquito) and Aedes albopictus (Asian tiger mosquito), have been identified in the UK.
- The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) discovered Aedes aegypti eggs near London Heathrow Airport in September 2023 and Aedes albopictus at a Kent motorway service station in August 2024.
- Experts warn that these species, historically found in subtropical regions, pose a “significant public health threat” as they can carry diseases like yellow fever, dengue, chikungunya, and Zika.
- Scientists suggest that rising temperatures and milder winters due to climate change could enable these mosquitoes to establish populations in southern England over the coming decades.
- The study highlights the need for enhanced surveillance to prevent the establishment of invasive mosquito populations and mitigate the increased risk of arboviral diseases in the UK.