Britain was today rocked by fears of an outbreak of a killer disease spread by mosquitoes that can leave people suffering paralysis or comas.
Health officials said they had detected West Nile virus, which is usually limited to Africa, the Middle East and South Asia, in British insects for the first time.
UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) bosses are now racing to contain any potential spread of the virus.
There have been no cases of the disease ever detected locally in the UK—but seven travel-associated cases have occurred since 2000.
West Nile virus is a vector borne disease usually found in birds that typically circulates through bird-biting mosquitoes. In rare cases, mosquitoes can transmit the virus to humans.
The UKHSA today stressed the overall risk to the public is ‘very low’ and the virus ‘does not spread easily between people’.
People catch the disease from the bites of infected Asian Tiger mosquitoes — shown by their black and white striped markings — which pick up the virus from birds.
About one in five people exhibit symptoms, such as a fever, headache and a spotty rash covering the trunk, head, neck, fingers and toes.
These can last a few days to several weeks, with patients treated using fluids, bed rest and over-the-counter painkillers.
Health officials said they had detected West Nile virus in mosquitos for the first time in Britain
People catch the disease from the bites of infected Asian Tiger mosquitoes — shown by their black and white striped markings — which pick up the virus from birds. Pictured, Flavivirus, responsible for West Nile virus
Of those with symptoms, less than one percent will develop a severe form of the disease — called West Nile neuroinvasive disease (WNND) — which can be deadly.
In this, the virus infects the brain and causes encephalitis, or inflammation of the organ, leading to seizures, disorientation and coma.
About three to 15 percent of WNND patients die from the disease, with death sometimes caused by the virus infecting and shutting down cells needed to send impulses to instruct the body to breathe.
Young children, adults over 50 years old and those who have weaker immune systems are most at risk of this severe form of the disease.
For protection against West Nile virus, officials have advised people to wear insect repellant, as well as long-sleeve tops and pants in the evenings and early mornings — when mosquitoes are most active.
Individuals have also been advised to remove any standing water near their home, as this can be a place where mosquitoes can breed.
