What is West Nile virus and is it found in the UK?

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Zoonoses
Culex mosquito

West Nile virus (WNV) is a virus spread primarily through the bites of infected mosquitoes. It belongs to the same family of viruses as dengue, yellow fever and Japanese encephalitis. The virus circulates naturally between birds and mosquitoes, and humans or horses can be infected when bitten by a mosquito that has previously fed on …

What are the symptoms of the chikungunya virus and is there a vaccine? 

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Global health, Travel
Aedes albopictus, one of the species of mosquito that spreads chikungunya

Chikungunya may not be a household name, but this mosquito-borne viral infection has become a significant concern for travellers to some destinations. The disease, whose name derives from the Kimakonde (a language of Southern Tanzania) word meaning ‘that which bends up’ due to the severe joint pain it causes, has spread across the globe in …