UK Faces Increased Risk of Mosquito-Borne Diseases and Heat-Related Deaths Due to Climate Change

Swift action and greenhouse gas emission cuts could avert some of the worst consequences, according to health officials.

UK could become home to mosquitoes capable of spreading dengue fever, chikungunya and zika virus by the 2040s and 2050s, according to a report by the UK Health Security Agency.
The report warns of up to 10,000 excess deaths a year due to extreme heat by the 2050s, and a substantial number of deaths related to the cold, particularly for an ageing population.
Changing rainfall patterns could increase the risk of flooding, with big impacts on mental health and wellbeing, particularly of young people.
Climate change will disproportionately affect vulnerable people, including older people, those with medical conditions or living in deprived areas, and children.
Many of the potential problems are still avoidable with swift action, including steep cuts to greenhouse gas emissions, increasing green spaces, improving flood defences, and putting protection in place for the most vulnerable.