Tiny threats: could mosquitoes bring big problems to Ireland?

The Culex pipiens mosquito, which transmits West Nile Virus, is already present here.  So far, Ireland has remained free of local West Nile Virus transmission, but with climate change creating warmer, wetter conditions, there’s a potential future public health risk for Ireland

Ireland hasn’t seen locally transmitted cases of West Nile Virus… yet. But with mosquitoes expanding their range and Europe seeing more frequent outbreaks, there’s a future risk to Ireland

As the Irish skies unleash their predictable rain, and temperatures continue downwards this autumn, there's one pest we rarely think about… mosquitoes. Sure, we’ve all experienced that rare itchy encounter during a warm summer evening, but surely, we’re safe from mosquito-borne diseases here, right?

Well, not so fast. As climate change subtly shifts our weather patterns, mosquitoes and the diseases they carry, might become more than just a mild annoyance in Ireland.