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<p>The female mosquitoes responsible for Zika virus transmission are not native to
the United Kingdom and it is considered highly unlikely they could survive the current
UK climatic conditions long enough to become established. The risk to public health
posed by Zika virus is, therefore, very low and no greater than the risks posed by
other mosquito-borne infections, such as malaria, for example.</p><p> </p><p>Public
Health England monitors various insect vectors (in particular, mosquitoes) in the
UK through surveillance projects that it runs in collaboration with a range of organisations
across the UK. In England, detection of an invasive species considered to pose a threat
to the UK would trigger the use of appropriate control measures.</p><p> </p><p>In
addition, the Government is ensuring UK residents travelling to countries with active
Zika transmission are encouraged to take measures to minimise the risk of being bitten
by mosquitoes, for example through the use of insect repellent.</p><p> </p><p>Up-to-date
travel advice is in place, and clinical advice is available to UK medical professionals.
More information can be found at:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/zika-virus-zikv-clinical-and-travel-guidance"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/zika-virus-zikv-clinical-and-travel-guidance</a></p>
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