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Strengthening Preparedness against the Threat of Mosquito-Borne Diseases in the UK
Author: Juan Carlos Jaramillo, MD
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I am delighted to announce the publication of our new policy report ‘Strengthening preparedness against the threat of mosquito-borne diseases in the UK’. Informed by discussions with leading UK healthcare professionals and experts in mosquito-borne diseases, the report provides clear recommendations to further support and expand preventative measures being taken in the UK. Mosquitoes are the world’s deadliest creature, estimated to kill up to one million people each year worldwide and infect 700 million.¹ Rising global temperatures and changing weather patterns caused by climate change have allowed disease carrying mosquito species to spread to new areas and regions, including European countries such as France, Italy and Spain.²
Alarmingly, mosquitoes capable of carrying diseases such as dengue, chikungunya and Zika have now been detected in South East England, and the UK Health Security Agency predicts these mosquitoes could be established in England as soon as the 2040s.
Valneva has published this report to share an assessment of the UK’s preparedness for the existing and possible future threat posed by these diseases, and to outline priority areas of reform to strengthen national resilience. The report draws on expert input gathered through stakeholder discussions with UK healthcare professionals and experts in mosquito-borne diseases. We are grateful for their contributions and insights.
Based on these discussions, the report makes recommendations across three key areas, focusing on how the important steps already being taken by the UK Government could be further supported and expanded. These are:
• Strengthening measures around the surveillance and control of invasive infectious disease vectors in the UK
• Prioritising investment in the monitoring of mosquito-borne diseases
• Protecting individuals at greater risk of mosquito-borne diseases
Valneva remains committed to working collaboratively with public health stakeholders in the UK and elsewhere to deliver the recommendations made in this report and to advancing further research in the field through our UK-based R&D facilities, centred at the Livingston manufacturing site.
We remain committed to advancing innovative solutions and supporting public health systems to stay one step ahead of emerging infectious disease threats.
You can read the report here: Strengthening preparedness against the threat of mosquito borne diseases in the UK
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