Risk of mosquito and midge-borne diseases in UK to be examined in new study

Scientists have secured funding for a multimillion-pound project assessing the risk of mosquito and midge-borne diseases in the UK.

While such diseases are traditionally considered to pose a risk mainly in the tropics, experts said changes in climate and the environment are driving their expansion into northern Europe, including the UK.

Researchers at the University of Glasgow have secured funding for a four-year programme titled Preparing for and mitigating the impacts of environmental change on Dipteran-borne disease in the UK, known as PAMEC.

The “One Health” programme will focus on identifying emerging risks from mosquito and midge-borne diseases across the UK, with the aim of guiding how to prepare for them.

Professor Heather Ferguson, left, and Dr Emilie Pondeville will lead the research (Martin Shields/University of Glasgow/PA)

Dr Emilie Pondeville, one of those leading the programme, from the MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, said: “Taking a One Health, multi-disciplinary approach, we will bring insights from cutting-edge lab work alongside data from field work carried out by our team of researchers in locations across the UK.

“Together, this information will help inform new mathematical models that should enable us to better understand the current and future risks we face, as well as how to best prepare for any emerging vector-borne diseases in the UK.”

The programme is funded with £3.75 million by UK Research and Innovation as part of a £20 million interdisciplinary research fund to tackle epidemic threats.

The PAMEC programme will build on results from the Mosquito Scotland project, which investigated risks across Scotland, and will be carried out in collaboration with the UK Health Security Agency, the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, and SRUC.

Professor Heather Ferguson, professor of medical entomology and infectious disease ecology at the University of Glasgow, who is also leading the programme, said: “We’re delighted to continue our work to assess risks of vector-borne diseases in the UK, and grateful to our partners, collaborators, and the public for supporting the Mosquito Scotland project.

“This has laid the foundation for the next phase through PAMEC.”

Last year, Mosquito Scotland researchers supported the Scottish Government’s response to the first detection in Scotland of Usutu virus, which has been linked to a decline in blackbirds in the UK.

There have also been outbreaks of midge-borne diseases such as blue tongue, and Schmallenberg in the UK in recent times, while last month the mosquito Aedes aegypti, which can transmit viruses such as dengue in the tropics, was detected in east London.

Professor Dominic Mellor, consultant in veterinary public health at Public Health Scotland, said: “Environmental changes are increasing the potential for mosquito and midge-borne diseases to emerge in the UK, therefore it’s important that we strengthen our understanding, surveillance and preparedness.

“Public Health Scotland is pleased to participate in the crucial work of the PAMEC project, building on the partnerships developed through Mosquito Scotland, to improve how emerging vector-borne threats are identified, assessed and communicated to help protect public health.”