Should I be concerned that an invasive mosquito species has been detected in East London? 

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: UKHSA science, Zoonoses
Close up of an Aedes aegypti mosquito on a person's skin, sucking human blood

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has detected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes and larvae at residential properties in East London. It is the first time this species has been found breeding in the UK, and the fourth modern-day detection of Aedes …

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 …