UK braces for tropical diseases as climate shifts

A significant multimillion-pound project has been launched in the UK to evaluate the risk of diseases transmitted by mosquitoes and midges. This initiative, a four-year "One Health" programme, is receiving £3.75 million in funding from UK Research and Innovation. Researchers aim to identify emerging risks from these vector-borne diseases throughout the UK. Their work will inform mathematical models to better understand current and future threats and enhance preparedness. This programme builds on the success of the Mosquito Scotland project, expanding its scope to cover the entire UK in collaboration with key health and research agencies. The need for this research is underscored by recent detections of viruses like Usutu virus and outbreaks of diseases such as blue tongue and Schmallenberg in the UK, alongside the detection of the dengue-carrying mosquito Aedes aegypti in London. Environmental changes are identified as the driving force behind the increasing potential for these diseases to emerge in the UK, highlighting the importance of strengthened understanding, surveillance, and preparedness.