The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) announced that Usutu virus has been detected in blackbirds in Scotland for the first time. The virus, carried by mosquitoes and wild birds, belongs to the same family as dengue, yellow fever and West Nile virus. APHA identified the virus through its national passive wild avian surveillance programme. Usutu has been circulating in southeast England for six years and has caused significant blackbird population declines in other European countries, but there have been no human cases to date and the public health risk remains very low. The finding highlights the need for expanded wild‑bird and mosquito surveillance across the UK. APHA, SRUC Veterinary Services and the Mosquito Scotland research programme are working together to monitor the situation. Residents are urged to report dead birds and to keep gardens free of stagnant water to reduce mosquito breeding during the active season from April to October.
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