British Scientists Warn of Tropical Mosquito Threat in UK
British scientists have raised alarm about the potential threat of mosquitoes capable of spreading tropical diseases like dengue fever, chikungunya, and the Zika virus in the UK. While no established populations have been found yet, eggs of these species have been discovered in various locations.
Dr. Cyril Caminade, an expert at the University of Liverpool, has expressed concern about the presence of these invasive mosquito species. The Egyptian mosquito (Aedes aegypti) and the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) have been found in the UK, with eggs first discovered in 2023 at a cargo warehouse near Heathrow Airport and later near a motorway service station on the M20 in Kent in 2024.
Experts warn that climate change and milder winters are increasing the risk of these species becoming established in the UK. If this happens, the risk of tropical infections spreading within the country will significantly increase. So far, the search results do not provide the names of the scientists who initially warned about this threat.
While there are currently no established populations of these mosquitoes in the UK, the discovery of their eggs and the warnings from experts highlight the need for vigilance. Further research and monitoring are crucial to assess and mitigate the potential risk these species pose to public health.
