United Kingdom heatwave fuels mosquito surge and disease risk

Health experts say the current UK heatwave creates ideal conditions for mosquitoes to emerge in large numbers. Dr Mojca Kristan, an assistant professor of medical entomology at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, warned that “weather conditions in the UK at the moment are perfect for mosquitoes.”

She noted that warmth and standing water from recent rains allow species such as the Asian tiger mosquito and the Egyptian mosquito to lay eggs, raising the possibility that disease‑carrying insects could become established. While these vectors are not yet present in the UK, eggs of Aedes albopictus have been found. Kristan advised the public to use repellent, wear long sleeves and socks in the evenings to reduce bites.

Although the current risk of UK‑based transmission of illnesses like dengue, chikungunya or Zika remains low, climate‑change trends suggest a higher likelihood of endemic transmission by the 2060s, particularly for dengue in London and surrounding areas.