Mosquitoes’ range of activity expands
The Asian tiger mosquito (also known as the Asian tiger mosquito), known for transmitting dengue, chikungunya and Zika viruses, has spread further north, east and west across Europe and now has native populations in 13 EU/EEA countries, while the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which transmits yellow fever, dengue, chikungunya and Zika viruses, was recently discovered in Cyprus. According to the ECDC, this mosquito’s high pathogen transmission ability and penchant for biting humans raises concerns that it may become established in other parts of Europe.
ECDC warned that climate change will only make the situation worse: “Climate change is widely expected to significantly affect the spread of mosquito-borne diseases in Europe, for example by creating more favourable environmental conditions for the establishment and proliferation of mosquito populations. This year, a locally transmitted case of West Nile virus infection was confirmed in Seville, Spain, with symptoms appearing in early March. Although this is an isolated case, it highlights that West Nile virus transmission can occur early in the year, probably due to favourable climatic conditions.”
Recommended control measures
According to the ECDC, the establishment of coordinated vector control measures is a key element in the fight against mosquito-borne diseases, but further research is needed to develop efficient and environmentally friendly tools to manage mosquito populations. Recommendations for control measures, such as removing stagnant water in gardens and balconies where mosquitoes breed, “should be promoted to residents.” Personal protective measures to reduce the risk of mosquito bites include wearing clothing that covers most of the body, using mosquito repellents, using mosquito nets and window/door screens, and sleeping and resting in air-conditioned rooms. Effective public awareness campaigns are essential for these to be widely adopted.
ECDC concludes: “Enhanced surveillance and early detection of travel-associated and locally transmitted cases of mosquito-borne diseases remains essential for the timely and appropriate implementation of vector and disease control measures.”
