The Mosquito Menace

BBC News Magazine has a useful piece which considers the anecdotal evidence of an increase in the number of mosquito bites in the uk and whether we should be concerned about spike in malaria figures:

"NHS Direct statistics show 9,061 calls in England complaining of bites and stings from early May this year to now - up nearly 15% from last summer. Not all bite complaints are due to mosquitoes - many can be attributed to bedbugs, midges and fleas.

[...]

"It is possible that Aedes albopictus could make its way to the UK," says Dr James Logan, medical entomologist at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.

"Because they lay their drought-resistant eggs in transportable materials, like used tyres, there is a possibility that they can be transported to a country where they are not normally found.

"Some studies suggest that they could survive the UK winter, however, to date this species has not been found in the UK and the HPA are keeping a watchful eye on it."

Save Our Libraries Day

Libraries are in one of their most perilous conditions for decades, with closures planned throughout the country and a cutting back of services. The Isle of White, for example, will be losing nine of its eleven public libraries.

The Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals have organised, for tomorrow, a Save Our Libraries Day, so that people who love books and love libraries can gather together in libraries and online to as they say "bring greater attention to the cuts and closures facing many public libraries".

Suggestions how you can become involved are at their website, from tweets to letters to borrowing something you're in the mood for. If you need more convincing, here's video of Lauren Laverne in polemical mood on last night's 10 O'Clock Show.