West Nile virus (WNV), transmitted by mosquitoes, is known to cause encephalitis in humans. Symptoms can range from a mild fever to spontaneous bleeding of the skin and circulatory failure, which are often fatal (Image: Getty Images)
The UK Government today unveiled a fresh ‘contingency plan’ for a virus that claimed 67 lives across Europe over a 12-month period. Mosquitoes carrying the potentially deadly West Nile disease have been discovered in the UK, officials have confirmed.
West Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne illness that typically spreads through bites from infected Culex mosquitoes, which acquire the virus from birds. While 80% of infected individuals display no symptoms, approximately 20% develop mild, flu-like illness, and in rare instances (less than 1%), it can trigger severe, fatal neurological conditions such as meningitis or encephalitis.
Officials from the UK Health Security Agency said: “At the time of publication there have been no human cases of WNV acquired in the UK, but there have been detections of WNV in mosquitoes in the UK. The risk to the UK population is still considered to be very low, although increasing with climate change, particularly given the presence of WNV in neighbouring countries.
The UKHSA said many species of birds have been shown to carry the virus, which is maintained and amplified by continuous cycling between birds and mosquitoes. WNV was first detected in the West Nile district of Uganda in 1937. The first large outbreak in Europe occurred in Romania in 1996, and WNV is now endemic in parts of Europe. In 2002, WNV was declared endemic in the United States of America, and it has since spread into Canada and the Caribbean.
Warning about the possible impact the UKHSA said: “The UKHSA said numerous bird species have been shown to carry the virus, which is sustained and amplified through continuous transmission between birds and mosquitoes. WNV was first identified in the West Nile district of Uganda in 1937. The first major outbreak in Europe took place in Romania in 1996, and WNV is now endemic across parts of Europe. In 2002, WNV was declared endemic in the United States of America, and it has subsequently spread into Canada and the Caribbean.
Warning about the potential consequences, the UKHSA said: “Humans can become infected with WNV following a bite from an infected mosquito. Other routes of transmission include from mother to unborn child, through breast milk, and through blood transfusions and organ transplants from infected donors. However, these are a small proportion of global infections.
“Acute infection with WNV may cause illness characterised by fever, headache, muscle aches and a rash. Although a large proportion of infections with WNV are asymptomatic, or have mild symptoms that resolve within a week, about 1 in 150 cases develop disease in the brain and nervous system. This typically presents as meningitis, encephalitis or acute flaccid paralysis.”
It cautioned that no human vaccines are currently available, stating the strategy centres on infection prevention. The guidance instructed GPs across the UK to notify the UKHSA immediately of any suspected cases.
UK government officials identified several groups facing an elevated risk of contracting the virus. It added: “Those aged over 50 years old, or with underlying medical conditions (such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension and kidney disease) are at greatest risk of severe disease. The case fatality rate is highest in patients aged over 70.”
It explained that in Europe, West Nile Virus typically spreads among birds through the bites of bird-feeding mosquitoes. These include the common house mosquito, Culex pipiens, which is found throughout the UK.
It stated that the mosquito species responsible for transmitting the disease has been discovered: “On the land adjoining either side of the Thames estuary, as far north as Suffolk, in the Cambridgeshire Fens and along the south coast in Sussex/Hampshire. Its distribution is expanding, likely in response to changing climate.”
Serious symptoms can include high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, confusion, coma, tremors, muscle weakness, vision problems, numbness, and even paralysis. While anybody can develop a severe illness, older adults — particularly those aged 55 and over — face a heightened risk, with approximately 1 in 50 in this age bracket experiencing serious symptoms. Those living with certain medical conditions, such as cancer, diabetes, kidney disease, or those who have undergone organ transplants, are also considered to be at greater risk.
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This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
