Detection of West Nile Virus via Retrospective Mosquito Arbovirus Surveillance in the United Kingdom
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In March 2025, as part of on-going enhanced surveillance for mosquito-borne Orthoflaviviruses , West Nile virus (WNV) RNA was detected in two pools of female Aedes vexans collected in July 2023 in Nottinghamshire, England. Viral RNA detection was achieved via reverse transcription-qPCR. Sequencing and subsequent phylogenetic analysis of a 402 bp fragment indicated that the detections clustered with WNV lineage 1a. The exact origin of this virus remains unclear, but this finding indicates a historic WNV presence in the United Kingdom (UK). Surveillance has not provided evidence of further viral transmission to date.
