The UK Health Security Agency has confirmed the detection of West Nile virus genetic material in mosquitoes for the first time in the UK. This discovery is a part of a research programme conducted with the Animal and Plant Health Agency, which collected mosquitoes in 2023. Although the virus primarily affects birds and is rarely transmitted to humans, officials state that the overall risk to the public remains very low. Healthcare professionals will receive guidance based on this finding to ensure preparedness and awareness.
Detecting fragments of West Nile virus in UK mosquitoes is a significant finding, as it marks the first evidence of the virus in local mosquito populations.
The UK Health Security Agency confirmed the presence of West Nile virus genetic material in mosquitoes collected across Britain in 2023, raising public health awareness.
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