Killer mosquito invasion reaches the UK as bugs travel to Britain from Europe

Deadly mosquitoes are threatening the UK with a swarm of bugs travelling over from Europe, experts have warned. Species such as the Asian tiger mosquito can spread dengue fever and chikungunya - a virus causing a fever of up to 40 degrees followed by joint pain that can last for years. The bugs have already caused problems in Italy, France and southern Europe, but now have arrived in Kent. The latest invasive mosquito to hit our shores is the culex modestus, which can spread the West Nile virus, a disease that causes serious flu-like symptoms that last several days. In some serious cases, it can cause swelling of the brain and spinal cord. Experts from Public Health England have been monitoring several locations in Kent, including service stations, ferry ports and the Eurotunnel terminal, hoping to spot the invasive insects before they spread. Dr Jolyon Medlock, programme leader with Public Health England's Medical Entomology team, said: "One of the things we are looking at is the incursion of invasive mosquitoes which act as vectors for diseases such as dengue fever and-READ MORE-http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/killer-mosquito-invasion-reaches-uk-4276901