Is There Mosquitoes in England?
WouterDespite being a relatively small country, the UK is home to over 30 species of mosquito. Some species bite humans, while others are harmless. However, some species have been found to carry diseases, including yellow fever and dengue fever. There are a number of steps that you can take to reduce the nuisance of mosquitoes, including the use of insect repellents.
There are currently five non-native species of mosquito present in the UK. These include the Culex modestus mosquito, which is an established species in parts of Essex and Kent, as well as a new species called Aedes nigrinus. This species is relatively new to Britain, but is spreading through southern Europe.
As warmer weather occurs, the risk of mosquito introductions increases. This is because warmer weather creates a more conducive environment for disease transmission.
There are a number of factors that increase the risk of mosquito introduction, including globalisation of travel, trade, and urbanisation. Fortunately, there is not a current outbreak of exotic diseases in the UK. However, researchers are working to establish whether mosquitoes are responsible for such outbreaks.
UK mosquitoes can carry malaria and dengue fever, but these diseases are considered relatively low risks. Other diseases carried by mosquitoes include encephalitis, yellow fever, and West Nile virus. These are all infectious diseases that can be transmitted to humans.
However, researchers are still trying to understand why some mosquitoes bite and others don’t. This is particularly true of Aedes aegypti, a species that is not adapted to temperate climates.
