Guidance: HAIRS Report 2017

The Human Animal Infections and Risk Surveillance (HAIRS) group continued to meet monthly during 2017 in order to discuss emerging issues affecting human and animal health in the UK and internationally.

During 2017, vector-borne diseases continue to be discussed and assessed by the group. There was another identification of Aedes albopictus mosquito by PHE’s active mosquito surveillance. This again demonstrates the risk of invasive mosquitoes becoming established in England, and the importance of an active mosquito surveillance programme for the early detection and management to prevent this from happening.

In addition, the further spread of Culex modestus in the Thames Estuary and along the Essex coast resulted in enhanced human and animal surveillance for West Nile Virus infections in those areas.

The public health threat from Mycobacterium bovis in animals continues to be discussed by the group, as new gaps in guidance and policy emerge.