Research and analysis

HAIRS risk assessment: Usutu virus

Qualitative assessment of the risk that Usutu virus presents to the UK population.

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Usutu virus (USUV), a mosquito-borne flavivirus, was first recognised in Europe, in Austria, in wild birds in 2001 and subsequently its range expanded across Europe.

In August 2020, the first USUV infected wild birds in the UK were identified. Since then, a small number of wild and captive birds have tested positive between 2021 and 2023, predominantly in the Greater London area. As of November 2023, no human cases of USUV have been reported in the UK.

This risk assessment provides a qualitative description of the current risk to the UK human population, highlights gaps in evidence and provides recommendations for mitigating the public health risk.

An earlier USUV risk assessment was published by Public Health England (PHE).

Published 30 September 2020
Last updated 20 December 2023 + show all updates
  1. Updated risk assessment.

  2. First published.