Health officials have sounded the alarm after a killer, ‘paralysing’ disease spread by mosquitoes has been found in UK insects for the first time. 

West Nile virus, which is usually limited to Africa, the Middle East and South Asia, has been found in mosquitoes circulating in Nottinghamshire, sparking fears of human infection.

There have been no cases of the disease being contracted in the UK so far—but there have been seven travel-associated cases in Britain since 2000.

West Nile virus is usually found in birds and typically circulates through avian-biting mosquitoes.

However, in rare cases, mosquitoes have been known to transmit the virus to humans. 

Reacting to the findings, virus experts have called for ‘vigilance and investment in long-term preparedness’ for potential outbreaks.

‘This is a moment to recognise that the UK is no longer immune to some diseases once considered tropical,’ said Professor James Logan, mosquito-borne disease specialist at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM).

UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) bosses stressed the overall risk to the public is ‘very low’ and the virus ‘does not spread easily between people’.

Health officials said they had detected West Nile virus in mosquitoes for the first time in Britain

However, they added mosquito surveillance and control activities are being ‘enhanced’ in the wake of the findings. 

Officials detected virus in samples taken from Aedes vexans mosquitoes, a native British species, from wetlands on the River Idle near the village of Gamston in Nottinghamshire.

The positive result, found in two individual mosquitoes tested in 2023, is the first time the disease has been detected in an insect in Britain and raises the possibility it could spread to the public.

About one in five people infected with West Nile virus develop symptoms, such as a fever, headache and a spotty rash covering the trunk, head, neck, fingers and toes.

These can last a few days to several weeks, with patients treated using fluids, bed rest and over-the-counter painkillers.

Of those with symptoms, less than one percent will develop a severe form of the disease — called West Nile neuroinvasive disease (WNND)—which can be deadly.

In this, the virus infects the brain and causes encephalitis, or inflammation of the organ, leading to seizures, disorientation, paralysis and coma.

About three to 15 percent of WNND patients die from the disease, as the virus infects and shuts down cells that carry instructions for the body to breathe.

People catch the disease from the bites mosquitoes — shown by their black and white striped markings — which pick up the virus from birds. Pictured, Flavivirus, responsible for West Nile virus

Young children, adults over 50 and those who have weaker immune systems are most at risk of fatal illness.

Dr Meera Chand, UKHSA deputy director for travel health and emerging infections, said it wasn’t too surprising that the virus had reached Britain given its known presence in other European nations.

However, officials added the risk to the public was low. 

Dr Arran Folly, arbovirologist at the Government’s Animal and Plant Health Agency said West Nile virus reaching the UK was a demonstration of how climate change was helping pathogens reach Britain.    

‘The detection of West Nile virus in the UK is part of a wider changing landscape, where, in the wake of climate change, mosquito-borne diseases are expanding to new areas,’ he said. 

‘Only through continued surveillance can we assess the risk to animal and public health. 

While the disease is new to the UK it has been present in the US for decades, detected first in 1999.

With the virus now spreading among native mosquitoes, about 2,000 Americans fall ill with West Nile virus each year, of which about 120 are killed. 

Fabio Caruso, 40, better known as The Sicilian Slammer in the ring, contracted West Nile Virus, which left him paralyzed from the neck down 

As he was recovering from a kidney transplant, his immune system was suppressed and the virus rapidly developed into a severe infection.

One patient who knows all too well dangers posed by West Nile virus is Fabio Caruso.

The former professional wrestling champion, known as The Sicilian Slammer in the ring, was bitten by a mosquito carrying the pathogen in 2023. 

At the time, the wrestler was recovering from a kidney transplant, so his immune system was suppressed, which allowed the virus to quickly spread out of control in his body and develop into a severe infection.

As his condition deteriorated, Mr Caruso needed to be admitted to ICU after respiratory failure and lower-body paralysis prevented him from breathing on his own and he had to be put on a ventilator to stay alive.

And due to the severity of his symptoms, the athlete experienced a high fever and memory loss for more than two months.

It was only in July last year that he was finally discharged and allowed to return home to his wife and their daughter. 

For protection against West Nile virus, officials advise people to wear insect repellent, as well as long-sleeve tops and pants in the evenings and early mornings — when mosquitoes are most active.

Individuals have also been advised to remove any standing water near their home, as this can be a place where mosquitoes can breed.

West Nile virus was discovered in 1937 in Uganda.