The “tiger mosquito” lands in Europe and unleashes a rise in dengue circumstances weeks earlier than the Olympic Video games

The “tiger mosquito” lands in Europe and unleashes a rise in dengue circumstances weeks earlier than the Olympic Video games

Paris.-An invasive species of mosquito has established itself in 13 European Union nations, together with France, Spain and Greece, and consultants hyperlink its presence with a rise in dengue fever in Europe, the BBC stories this Wednesday.

Local weather change is creating favorable situations for the unfold of the tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus, stated the European Heart for Illness Prevention and Management (ECDC).

As far north as Paris, the place the Olympic Video games will probably be held on the finish of July, authorities have been monitoring and trapping the insect.

The ECDC has warned that worldwide journey will additional enhance the chance of additional outbreaks in Europe.

He suggested folks to take away stagnant water from gardens or balconies, the place mosquitoes can breed, and to make use of repellent and mosquito nets on home windows and doorways.

Mosquitoes have grow to be a rising menace in Europe during the last 20 years.

The Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus, believed to be essentially the most invasive mosquito species on the planet, is spreading throughout Europe from its “base camp” within the south of the Previous Continent.

In line with the ECDC, it has been established in Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia and Spain.

Additionally it is present in Belgium, Cyprus, Czechia, the Netherlands and Slovakia.

Tiger mosquitoes transmit illnesses resembling dengue, chikungunya and the Zika virus that, till just lately, had been solely current in components of Africa, Asia and the Americas.

One other mosquito, Aedes aegypti, which impacts Latin America, strongly in Argentina and Brazil, in latest months, transmitting dengue within the area, additionally arrived in Europe: it has settled in Cyprus.

Consultants say its potential to unfold to different components of Europe is “regarding” given its choice for biting people and its capacity to transmit illness.

1.The Aedes aegypti mosquito is native to Africa and the Aedes albopictus is native to Asia.

  1. The Aedes aegypti is black with white stripes on its physique, whereas the Aedes albopictus is black with white and silver stripes.
  2. The Aedes aegypti has a smaller dimension, measuring between 4 and seven mm, whereas the Aedes albopictus can measure as much as 10 mm.
  3. Aedes aegypti is a primarily city mosquito, whereas Aedes albopictus might be present in city and rural areas.
  4. The Aedes aegypti is a mosquito that feeds primarily on people, whereas the Aedes albopictus feeds on people, but additionally different mammals and birds.
  5. Aedes aegypti is a extra lively mosquito through the day, particularly at daybreak and nightfall, whereas Aedes albopictus is extra lively at night time.
  6. The Aedes aegypti has a shorter flight and prefers to remain in areas near its breeding place, whereas the Aedes albopictus can fly as much as 2 kilometers and colonize bigger areas.
  7. Aedes aegypti is the principle transmitter of the dengue virus, yellow fever and Zika virus, whereas Aedes albopictus can transmit these viruses and likewise the chikungunya virus.
  8. Aedes aegypti prefers to put its eggs in synthetic containers with standing water, resembling tires, vases, or water tanks, whereas Aedes albopictus can lay its eggs in a wide range of places, together with pure containers resembling leaves or tree trunks.
  9. The management and prevention of each species of mosquitoes is analogous, however totally different strategies can be utilized relying on the traits of every one.

Mass outbreaks have been growing lately. Final yr, eight incidents of a number of infections had been recorded in France, 4 in Italy and two in Spain.

Most European circumstances are imported, a mirrored image of the worldwide motion of individuals and commerce, with imported circumstances hovering to virtually 5,000 final yr.

However domestically acquired infections are additionally growing: 130 folks had been affected in 2023, up from 71 the earlier yr.

West Nile virus, which can be transmitted by mosquitoes, is now current in additional European areas than ever.

West Nile virus was first recognized in Uganda in 1937 and has unfold to many components of the world since then. West Nile virus belongs to the Flaviviridae household and is split into two varieties: West Nile virus and East Nile virus. Each varieties are transmitted by mosquitoes that feed on contaminated birds and may then transmit the virus to people and different animals, resembling horses. Normally, West Nile virus causes no signs or solely delicate flu-like signs, resembling fever, headache, and tiredness.

Nevertheless, in additional extreme circumstances, it might possibly trigger encephalitis (irritation of the mind) or meningitis (irritation of the membranes surrounding the mind and spinal wire). These issues might be severe and even deadly. There isn’t any vaccine.

In early March it was reported that one individual was contaminated with the virus in southern Spain, highlighting how climate situations are creating a positive setting for mosquitoes even “on the very starting of the yr”, in line with the ECDC. .

“Europe is already seeing how local weather change is creating extra favorable situations for invasive mosquitoes to unfold to beforehand unaffected areas and infect extra folks with illnesses resembling dengue,” stated ECDC Director Andrea Ammon.

“Elevated worldwide journey from nations the place dengue is endemic will even enhance the chance of imported circumstances, and inevitably additionally the chance of native outbreaks.”

Ammon advises folks to take “private protecting measures” and provides that “early detection of circumstances, well timed surveillance, extra analysis and awareness-raising actions are paramount within the areas of Europe with the very best threat.” Clarín.

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2024-06-15 13:57:47

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