Scots with Blackbirds in Garden Urged to Take Action to Help Now

Scots with blackbirds in garden urged to take action to help now

The Usutu virus has spread to Scotland, scientists today announced - but gardeners can help

'Mosquito-borne virus' linked to yellow fever discovered in Scotland for first time

A mosquito-borne virus linked to the group of viruses that can cause yellow fever and West Nile virus has been discovered in Scotland for the first time

Virus with links to yellow fever discovered in Scotland for first time

The usutu virus has been known to cause ‘significant’ blackbird population declines in many European countries, including the UK. A mosquito-borne virus linked to the group of viruses that can cause yellow fever and West Nile virus has been discovered in Scotland for the first time. The usutu virus, which is transmitted by mosquitos and carried mainly by wild birds, was identified in blackbirds on the Isle of Arran through a national bird survei…

Mosquito-borne virus with links to yellow fever found in Scotland for first time

The usutu virus, which is transmitted by mosquitos and carried mainly by wild birds, has been identified in blackbirds.

First detection of Usutu virus in Scotland

1.04.2026 - Usutu virus (USUV) has been identified in blackbirds in Scotland for the first time through the Animal and Plant Health Agency's national passive wild avian surveillance programme (APHA), in collaboration with the Mosquito Scotland research programme led by the University of Glasgow.