{"id":45556,"date":"2014-07-24T08:56:00","date_gmt":"2014-07-24T08:56:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?guid=4db99c47bba575eacfea112a2e0dd143"},"modified":"2014-07-24T08:56:00","modified_gmt":"2014-07-24T08:56:00","slug":"news-story-phe-advice-on-staying-mosquito-bite-free-this-summer-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?p=45556","title":{"rendered":"News story: PHE advice on staying mosquito-bite free this summer"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Mosquito bites can be a nuisance especially now warmer weather has arrived. The good news is there\u2019s no evidence to suggest that mosquito numbers in the UK are any higher this year compared to previous years. <\/p>\n

There are 34 recorded mosquito species in the UK. Although most bite humans, the most common mosquito in Britain is Culex pipiens, which feeds on the blood of birds, not humans. Unlike the tropics, mosquitoes in this country are not currently known to transmit any infections. <\/p>\n

Jolyon Medlock, scientific programme leader with Public Health England\u2019s (PHE<\/abbr>\u2019s) Medical Entomology team, said:<\/p>\n

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Mosquito levels tend to peak in July and August particularly in hot and wet summers. Some species will take will take advantage of the warm weather and water-filled habitats, like water butts or paddling pools to breed, particularly those without covers that collect leaves.<\/p>\n

We encourage good \u2018garden husbandry\u2019 in the summer months, by reducing the number of container habitats around the garden. This includes turning upside down buckets, emptying paddling pools that aren\u2019t being used, unblocking drains, and putting lids on water butts.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Jolyon Medlock added:<\/p>\n

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Given the continued spread of invasive mosquitoes in continental Europe, PHE<\/abbr> continue to conduct surveillance at ports of entry, and provide an identification service for nuisance mosquitoes. So far no invasive mosquitoes have been detected in the UK.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

While the asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) has been identified as an insect that could potentially arrive in the UK, there have been no confirmed sightings in the UK. This mosquito has been reported but is so far not \u2018established\u2019 in either Belgium or the Netherlands. Given the likely import routes it is possible that this mosquito could arrive in the UK.<\/p>\n

PHE<\/abbr>\u2019s Mosquito Recording Scheme aims to better understand the distribution and ecology of mosquitoes in Britain. The scheme is co-ordinated by the Medical Entomology and Zoonoses Ecology group (MEZE<\/abbr>) at PHE<\/abbr> Porton in Wiltshire. Members of the public can send mosquito samples in for identification via the mosquito recording scheme page<\/a> or submit a photo to mosquito@phe.gov.uk<\/a>. <\/p>\n

To avoid mosquito bites this summer:<\/p>\n