Dengue fever: Scientists fear UK could see outbreaks in the future – and this is why

Published

2 years ago

April 14, 2023

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Doctors who treated a British woman after she caught “break-bone fever” in the south of France have warned climate change could cause outbreaks as far north as the UK.

The 44-year-old woman was infected with dengue, a mosquito-borne disease, while visiting family near Nice last September and developed a fever, muscle pain, headache and rash.

She went to A&E when she returned to the UK.

An urgent sample was sent to the Rare Imported Pathogens Laboratory, which confirmed she had acute dengue virus infection.

The woman, who hasn’t been named by doctors, didn’t need treatment.

Her case was highlighted at the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases.

While 75% of infected people have no symptoms, 1% to 5% develop potentially fatal severe dengue.

The joints can be so painful that people feel as if their bones have been broken.

Dr Owain Donnelly from the Hospital for Tropical Diseases in London, said: “This individual was part of an outbreak of over 30 locally transmitted cases in the south of France in 2022, which highlights the rapidly changing epidemiology of dengue.”

The disease is more commonly seen in people who have visited Asia, South America and Africa, where the virus is spread by Aedes mosquitoes.

But one species, Aedes albopictus or the Asian Tiger mosquito, is now widespread in southern Europe.

It has also been detected by authorities at UK ports several times in recent years, but so far no local populations have been established.

Between June and September 2022, the Agence Regionale de Santé in France reported three separate outbreaks of the disease.

“With climate change, particularly hotter temperatures and more rainfall, and increasing global trade and tourism, we may see more parts of Europe with the right combination of factors for dengue outbreak,” warned Dr Donnelly.

The World Health Organisation warned last week that half the global population is now at risk of dengue, with an estimated 100 million to 400 million infections each year.

UK

Two killed in stabbing at business premises in London

Published

25 mins ago

July 28, 2025

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Two killed in stabbing at business premises in London

Two men have died after a stabbing in central London.

Police were called to a business premises in Long Lane, Southwark, at 1pm on Monday, where they found four people had been stabbed.

A 58-year-old man died at the scene while three others were taken to hospital, the Metropolitan Police said. These included a 27-year-old man who has since died.

A third man, who is in his thirties, remains in hospital with injuries described as non-life-threatening.

Another man in his thirties, who has been detained in connection with the incident, remains in a life-threatening condition in hospital.

Detective Chief Superintendent Emma Bond said: “Our investigation is in the early stages and we are working hard to understand the full circumstances of this shocking incident.

“At this point, we do not believe it to be terrorism-related and there is no further risk to the public.”

UK

Lionesses celebrate Euros triumph at ‘very special’ Downing Street reception

Published

2 hours ago

July 28, 2025

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Lionesses celebrate Euros triumph at 'very special' Downing Street reception

The red carpet was rolled out at No 10 on Monday evening as the Lionesses attended a reception to celebrate their Euro 2025 victory.

The England squad went straight to Downing Street after touching down at Southend Airport in Essex less than 24 hours after they defeated Spain in a penalty shootout in Sunday’s final.

Led by captain Leah Williamson, who proudly clutched the trophy, the side posed for pictures outside No 10 before being greeted by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner.

Speaking to Sky News correspondent Ashna Hurynag after the 40-minute reception, England manager Sarina Wiegman described the celebration as “very, very special”.

“To be able to go inside and also be in the garden there, [was] really nice,” she said. “They had put up pictures of us to show what we had done in the Euros… it was very, very special.”

Some people on social media have called for the England boss – who is from the Netherlands – to get an honorary damehood, but Wiegman told Ashna Hurynag that she “hasn’t thought about that”.

“I feel so much respect from England and from the Royal Family too, I think that’s the most important thing, feeling valued,” she said.

Weigman also joined some of the players to videocall Sir Keir Starmer, who was in Scotland with Donald Trump.

In a speech at the reception, the manager quipped: “I have to make my apologies [for giving] you lots of heart attacks.”

“We made it through and that’s why we’re here now,” she continued.

“The team is just incredible, we won the Euros but making the final, we’re already legendary. Thank you so much for having us here.”

As the Lionesses left Downing Street, some stopped to try and meet another famous feline – Larry the Cat.

The celebrations will continue on Tuesday afternoon with an open-top bus parade through central London before the team gather outside Buckingham Palace.

The Lionesses retained their Women’s Euros title on Sunday night by beating Spain in Basel, Switzerland.