Mosquito research projects
Source: gov.uk (2025-03-06)

Find out what the MEZE team and their project partners are collaborating on.

CCHS navigation menu: CCHS homepage (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/the-centre-for-climate-health-security)Topic: health impacts (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/health-impacts) Vector-borne disease: mosquitoes (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/mosquitoes)Part of: monitoring and research

Important resources for mosquito project partners:
- Mosquito research projects
- Mosquito Scotland (https://www.mosquito-scotland.com/)
- Radar project (https://www.vb-radar.com/)
- CULEX project (https://news.liverpool.ac.uk/2023/04/20/new-projects-to-tackle-vector-borne-diseases-funded/amp/)
- Wetland Life project (https://www.wetlandlife.org/)
Mosquito Scotland

There is a widespread misconception that the cool Scottish climate is thought to limit mosquito abundance. Mosquitoes in Scotland have historically been neglected as a subject of research. The Mosquito Scotland project aims to address the gaps in our knowledge of Scottish mosquitoes by establishing a surveillance programme of mosquitoes and birds across Scotland. Through this, we can find out which mosquito species are present in Scotland, how they are distributed, and whether they are harbouring any diseases. For more information go to Mosquito Scotland (https://www.mosquito-scotland.com/)

Vector-borne RADAR project

Vector-borne RADAR (https://www.vb-radar.com/) is a multi-disciplinary One Health project focused on understanding the emergence and transmission pathways for zoonotic mosquito-borne viruses of wild birds. The project involves a collaboration between British Trust for Ornithology, the Animal and Plant Agency, the Zoological Society of London and the UK Health and Security Agency. The main aim is the surveillance of wild birds and mosquitoes in the UK, screening them for Usutu virus (USUV) and West Nile Virus (WNV).

Usutu is a mosquito-borne virus that was detected in England for the first time in London in 2020 and has been found circulating amongst wild bird populations in the south of England since then. West Nile Virus (WNV), which has a greater impact on animal and public health, follows a relatively similar expansion pattern and ecology to Usutu and consequently requires vigilant surveillance. Humans with West Nile fever are mostly asymptomatic but 1 in 5 develop symptoms including fever, headache, body aches, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash.

The MEZE team at UKHSA conducts the mosquito surveillance part of the project, targeting wetland sites where USUV and WNV may be brought into the country by infected migratory birds. In 2023 and 2024 the team carried out intensive sampling at wetlands across Cambridgeshire, Kent, a few other targeted bird observatories in the South of England, and around London. In 2024, MEZE also conducted a citizen science type programme in collaboration with the Zoological Society of London (ZSL). UKHSA encouraged staff at ZSL to run mosquito traps in their home gardens. The objective was to engage with non-expert audiences and to expand intensive surveillance across urban and rural households, especially around residential London. A total of 29 volunteers took part in the project, primarily catching Culex mosquitoes. These are known vectors of USUV and WNV. All mosquito samples caught as part of RADAR are identified morphologically on ice at UKHSA and then sent to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) for virus screening.

CULEX project

This UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) funded CULEX project (https://news.liverpool.ac.uk/2023/04/20/new-projects-to-tackle-vector-borne-diseases-funded/amp/), in collaboration with University of Liverpool and University of Lancaster, has conducted trapping at over 200 sites across England and Wales.

The Culex project aims to map the abundance and distribution of Culex species across England and Wales. In particular:
- Culex pipiens biotype pipiens
- Culex pipiens biotype molestus
- hybrids of the two
- Culex torrentium
These species are competent vectors for WNV and USUV. They show different behaviours and ecologies which influence their ability to transmit and maintain these viruses. They can only be differentiated using molecular techniques. Data from this project is used to form risk assessments on WNV and USUV transmission and furthers the UK’s preparedness for vector-borne disease.

Wetland life project

WetlandLIFE (2017-2019) was a project exploring the ecological, economic, social and cultural values associated with wetlands in England to better understand how to manage change into the future.

The final report from the Wetland Life project (https://www.wetlandlife.org/) contains an overview of the work completed and the most important project findings.