- Aedes aegypti mosquitoes and larvae have been found breeding in east London residential properties.
- This marks the fourth detection of the species but the first known breeding occurrence in England.
- The current risk to human health remains low as the mosquitoes are unlikely to be infected.
- The species transmits dengue, chikungunya, and Zika viruses.
Aedes aegypti, an invasive mosquito species known to transmit viruses including dengue, chikungunya, and Zika, has been found breeding in England for the first time, England Health Security Agency (UKHSA) confirmed on Thursday, 3 September 2026. Enhanced surveillance and trapping have been undertaken following the detection of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes and larvae in residential properties in east London. This represents the fourth time the species has been detected in England.
Martin Hibberd, Professor of Emerging Infectious Disease at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), confirmed that finding Aedes aegypti breeding in London represents a milestone event as rising temperatures drive an increasing risk of contracting Zika, chikungunya, or dengue infections from their blood meal bites. While the current mosquitoes remain unlikely to be infected, and the risk to people remains low, their presence may indicate a regular summer event in future years. These mosquitoes will not survive the cooler weather of autumn or winter, but new introductions next year may lead to breeding again.
Robert Jones, Assistant Professor in the Department of Disease Control at LSHTM, advised that people can take simple steps to make gardens and outdoor spaces less suitable for mosquitoes. Mosquitoes can lay eggs in buckets, containers, plant pots, and other places where water accumulates, so removing standing water can help limit the places available for them to lay eggs and reduce the likelihood of populations becoming established.
Martin Hibberd, Professor of Emerging Infectious Disease at LSHTM shared “Finding Aedes aegypti breeding in London is a milestone event as England’s rising temperatures drive an increasing risk of contracting Zika, chikungunya or dengue infections from their blood meal bites. These mosquitos will not survive the cooler weather of Autumn or Winter, but new introductions next year may lead to breeding again.”
Robert Jones, Assistant Professor in the Department of Disease Control at LSHTM shared “Even in outbreak situations, only a fraction of mosquitoes are infected, so the risk to the public from this finding is very low. However, people can take simple steps to make their gardens and outdoor spaces less suitable for mosquitoes.”
