We have already had a warning that milder winters have enabled an increased threat from a disease-carrying insect. Bluetongue is a virus disease of cattle and sheep. It is spread by a midge which is common on the continent. The midge has not yet been reported as overwintering in the UK, but the fact that bluetongue has now been reported as late as November means that that is a likely scenario.
Now there are suggestions that a mosquito species, aedes albopictus, known as the tiger mosquito, could set up home here. It is particularly dangerous because it feeds during the day and is adapted to urban environments. In its home sub-tropical range it carries a whole slew of potentially fatal diseases.
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