A UKRI-Defra funded One Health project to investigate mosquito-borne zoonotic virus emergence, transmission and impact in UK wild birds.

Joined April 2023
9 Photos and videos
doi.org/10.2807/1560-7917.ES… New @VB_RADAR publication in @Eurosurveillanc , first detection of WNV RNA in the UK (in Aedes vexans mosquitoes). Big considerations for future biosecurity. Great collaboration with @APHAgovuk @_BTO @UKHSA @ZSLScience #onehealth #zoonoses

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doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-0… New @VB_RADAR publication @APHAgovuk, @ZSLScience, @UKHSA, USUV vertical transmission ID'd in wild Culex pipiens larvae - To our knowledge the 1st record of USUV VT in wild mosquitoes. Helps understand persistence in temperate areas! Great collaboration!
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biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/… New preprint up detailing retrospective WNV RNA detection in UK Aedes vexans mosquitoes, as part of the @VB_RADAR project, collaboration between @APHAgovuk @_BTO @ZSLScience and @UKHSA

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Vector-Borne RADAR retweeted
21 May 2025
APHA scientists have identified evidence of #WestNileVirus in UK #mosquitoes for the first time. This important surveillance was carried out with partners as part of the @vb_radar project. Find out more: 👇 ukhsa-newsroom.prgloo.com/ne… #APHAscience #VectorBorneDisease
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Vector-Borne RADAR retweeted
29 Jan 2025
🐦‍⬛Where have the blackbirds gone? London gardens have seen a decline in the songbird due to the mosquito-spread Usutu virus. Hear about our research as part of the @UKRI_News @DefraGovUK funded @VB_RADAR project & how you can help: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcas… @The_RHS #APHAscience
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Vector-Borne RADAR retweeted
Part 2..The Mosquito trap is a clever piece of kit @VB_RADAR @UKHSA @_BTO It has a fan, operated by a power pack. There is a flap at the top which sends the mozzi's into a catching bag. It also has a carbon dioxide generator and a Mosquito Lure which mimics skin scent.
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Vector-Borne RADAR retweeted
It was day 1 today of our @kupe1515 Mosquito surveillance for @VB_RADAR in conjunction with @UKHSA and @_BTO We are collecting mosquitoes in our trap for research into mosquito borne diseases and how it affects our Blackbird population, wildlife & humans.
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Vector-Borne RADAR retweeted
6 Jul 2024
This World Zoonoses Day, read more about how the increasing threat of vector-borne diseases presents new challenges to protecting our biosecurity. aphascience.blog.gov.uk/2024… #APHAscience #WorldZoonosesDay
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Preprint @VB_RADAR 1st output alert: We enhanced mosquito surveillance by rearing field caught adults larvae = We believe, first evidence of USUV transovarial transmission! Likely an essential persistence mechanism for the virus in temperate areas! biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/…
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Great collaborative work led by @MirjamSchilling involving @APHAgovuk , @UKHSA and @ZSLScience
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Vector-Borne RADAR retweeted
It's time to kick off #WildPoshInterviews! 🤩 @poshbee_eu project coordinator Mark Brown takes the stage first and tells us more about his work and the connection between the two projects. 👀 📽️Follow the link to watch the full interview: youtube.com/watch?v=6gZ61U1k…
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Vector-Borne RADAR retweeted
Usutu is a mosquito-borne virus 1st detected in UK birds in 2020. It spread is by native UK mosquitoes and has been linked to blackbird declines in England. We also want to know if it's in Scotland. Help by - bto.org/our-science/projects… @_BTO @VB_RADAR theguardian.com/environment/…

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Great to see @_BTO blackbirds in gardens survey (part of @VB_RADAR led by @HughHanmer and Rob Robinson) featured on @itvnews . If you have a garden and want to help us understand how Usutu virus might be impacting blackbirds please sign up here bto.org/blackbirds-gardens
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Vector-Borne RADAR retweeted
Great to see our research on mosquitoes in Scotland on the BBC 🦟! Very impt -this is not the first discovery of mosquitoes in Scotland! They have been here for millenia - our research will assess whether they could pose a disease risk in the future bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cw07….
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Vector-Borne RADAR retweeted
1 May 2024
8 months to the UK Vector-borne diseases meeting, Dec 3-4 2024, Liverpool. We have a great line up of plenary speakers: Prof Polly Roy (@LSHTM ); Prof James Logan (@LSHTM) and Dr Trisna Tungadi (@KeeleUniversity). Register, then submit your abstract - deadline is end of May.
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Vector-Borne RADAR retweeted
Interested in the impact of pesticides and climate change on bumblebee cognition? Undergraduate work placement for students from underrepresented ethnic groups. Link below - also happy to answer any questions over email. shorturl.at/cxP06

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That mosquito seems to be laying a scientist raft. Thanks to Amy et al. at the RES for putting on such a fantastic event
🐝 A Massive thank you once again to our #ClimateChange and Medical & Veterinary SIG convenors, we very much enjoyed yesterday's 'Impact of Extreme Events' conference and are looking forward to the next run 🦋 Register for RES events 🔽 royensoc.co.uk/events/ #RESExtreme24
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Fantastic day of science and a really nice mix of talks for the combined SIG meeting!
Replying to @RoyEntSoc
🐝 Huge thanks to all who presented and attended our 'Impact of Extreme Events' conference both in-person and online. A big thank you also to our brilliant SIG convenors and the staff at @QMUL, it's been a brilliant event 🦋 #RESExtreme24
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