A life-threatening tropical virus has been found in mosquitoes in Britain for the first time, which scientists attributed to climate change spreading the disease to cooler regions.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) detected fragments of the West Nile virus in mosquitoes collected from wetlands on the River Idle near Retford, Nottinghamshire.
The virus can cause flu-like symptoms and further dangers including coma. It is endemic across Africa, Asia and the Americas and in recent years has moved to parts of Europe.
The UKHSA said the risk to the public was “very low” and that the virus was not widely circulating. However, it has increased its surveillance efforts and is advising health workers to test patients with symptoms including brain swelling for the virus as
