Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the UK’s preparedness and resilience for increased risk from vector-borne diseases, and how that will be tested.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) conducts horizon scanning to detect, assess and communicate potential infectious threats to UK public health. Working across Government, UKHSA has developed guidance, and contingency plans are in preparation to support the prevention, management, and control of infectious diseases.

The cross-Government One Health - Human Animal Infections Risk Assessment group assesses these threats, including vector-borne diseases posed to the four nations. Surveillance systems and diagnostic pathways are in place to detect, monitor, report and rapidly diagnose infectious diseases. UKHSA specialist laboratories work with partners to ensure readiness of testing capacity for vector-borne diseases, and to develop testing approaches to detect emerging pathogens. UKHSA will continue to work with partners on preparatory activities for vector-borne disease emergence and review and amend these plans as the risk changes.