Fatal paralysing virus detected in UK for first time – as health officials issue important advice to doctors
Health officials said they found West Nile virus, which is usually limited to Africa, the Middle East and South Asia, in mosquitos on UK shores.
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The bug, which mostly spreads to people through critter bites, can cause severe, life-threatening illness in about 1 in 150 people who are infected, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
UKHSA bosses are now racing to contain any potential spread of the virus but insist the risk to the public is low.
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