UK ports are being screened for the Asian tiger mosquito, cited as an example of the “high quality surveillance” needed to detect new threats to health, according to the recently launched Health Protection Agency, that published its five-year corporate plan this week.

The Aedes albopictus mosquito, thought to be carried in water in tyres – brought from the Far East for re-treading, has been found as close as Normandy in France and is a potential risk at British resorts and attractions.

Dr Pat Troop, chief executive of the agency said: “We are concerned about climate change and what that poses for public health.

“There are a number of developments, the increase in skin cancer, floods and storms that need emergency services to be prepared and the effect of the increasing spread of ticks and mosquitoes.”

The newly formed Health Protection Agency brings together organisations and expert staff dealing with infectious diseases, chemical hazards and poisons, plus emergency planning. A corporate plan identifies 12 goals for the agency including strategies to reduce the impact of infectious disease; improving health service preparedness for certain major emergencies and providing the public with impartial information and advice.

HPA chair, Sir William Stewart, said that global threats to health have moved on: “The speed and ease of global travel means there is a much greater potential for the rapid transmission of infectious disease. The SARS experience demonstrated that a new bug can spread around the world in days.”

The agency is also starting an extensive programme to look for evidence of conditions such as cancer, caused by long-term exposure to low levels of chemicals. The investigation will include the effects of chlorine in swimming pools. Details: www.hpa.org.uk