UK worried that tropical illnesses will cross the pond

British experts are warning that tropical diseases are likely to show up in the UK as climate change increases temperatures across the pond.
Meanwhile the Brits have already issued advisories to holiday-goers visiting the Caribbean warning them about the risk of dengue fevers and chikungunya disease. Indeed, a number of British travellers did become infected with chikungunya while holidaying in the region, especially during the several months in 2014 when the virus was raging through the islands. There are already over 30 different species of mosquito in the UK, scientists have said.
Now, a report in the Lancet Infectious Disease Journal says that even West Nile virus could turn up in the UK and Public Health England (PHE) is monitoring those places and spaces that harbour mosquito larvae using several high-tech monitoring mechanism including climate modelling. Climate modelling is being used to check for the patterns related to tick-related infections and the risks associated with the same. PHE has said that climate change is but one indicator of how the diseases may spread to the UK.

Reports suggest that there has been a rise of tropical mosquito and tick borne illnesses across Europe from Eastern Europe to Greece and reports further indicate that this is possibly related to climate change.
Dr Jolyon Medlock is the joint author of the report. He is also the head of medical entomology at Public Health England.
“They develop faster at higher temperatures so during a mild winter they won’t be killed off. In summer they will then be more abundant, although dry summers are not good for mosquitoes. But they can survive in water butts in gardens, “said Medlock.
There have been no cases of West Nile virus in the UK thus far but the climate modelling systems put in place along with other surveillance will hopefully predict patterns of mosquito breeding and the tendency for areas in Europe and within the UK to become prone to mosquito-borne illnesses.
He further add that all invertebrates were affected by climate change but did not commit himself to climate change being the only predictor of any potential change in behaviour of mosquito or tick borne illnesses in the UK. Research is ongoing.

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