Cases of West Nile virus spread through Europe – as mosquitoes that carry the disease are found in UK
Some 401 cases of the virus have been reported in Europe, and 22 people have died from the infection
CASES of potentially-deadly West Nile virus are spreading across Europe – as mosquitoes known to spread the disease are found in Essex.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) warned infections have increased sharply this year compared to the previous four years.
Some 401 cases of the virus have been reported in Europe, and 22 people have died from the infection.
The most affected countries include Serbia with 126 cases, Italy with 123, Greece with 75, Hungary with 39 and Romania with 31.
It comes as Public Health England (PHE) this week warned the type of mosquito that carries the infection – Culex modestus – has been found in the Thames Estuary.
But PHE stressed no traces of the virus have been found in the UK.
Most people infected with the West Nile virus, around 80 per cent, show no symptoms at all.
Some will experience flu-like symptoms including headaches and a fever.
In severe cases – around less than one per cent – infected patients can go on to develop severe neurological problems including meningitis, encephalitis and paralysis, which can result in death.
Healthy people usually recover quickly and suffer little to no side effects.
Those aged over 50, or those with underlying medical conditions, are most at risk of serious complications.
The spike in mosquitoes carrying the disease is mainly down to higher numbers of mosquitoes carrying the disease, fuelled by warmer weather, the WHO said.
There have been no reported cases of the infection in the UK.
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Dr Jolyon Medlock, head of medical entomology, at Public Health England, said: “While we have detected this mosquito species in areas around the Thames Estuary since 2010, we have not detected the virus itself.
“The few cases of West Nile virus diagnosed in the UK have been due to mosquito bites abroad and the risk of contracting the infection in this country is low.
“The vast majority of people infected with West Nile virus do not develop symptoms but those that do will experience a mild, flu like illness and rash lasting up to six days.
“Travellers can avoid mosquito bites by using insect repellent and covering up when outside at dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active.”
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