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Will there be dengue outbreaks soon?

June 30, 2020 – 3:17 p.m.

Risk of transmission of dangerous viruses increases

The warm days of the past few weeks have not only pleased us humans, mosquitoes are gradually coming to light again. And in addition to the house mosquito that we all know, another species could make itself more cozy this year – the Asian tiger mosquito. Although this species is not native to Germany, it has already spread to parts of the country last year due to climate change. And not only that: In Austria, biologists have now found out that the Asian mosquito also hibernates there. This is of great concern to researchers about public health.

Mosquitoes can transmit dengue, chikungunya and zika

In Tyrol there are first signs that the tiger mosquito is not introduced every year, but has already established itself. With the help of so-called ovitraps, a device in which mosquito females lay their eggs, the scientists were able to prove that the Asian tiger mosquito is not only imported anew every year, but is already overwintering in Austria.

Egg laying along the highways was most frequently detected. This is no coincidence: “Non-native mosquito species are mainly brought in by goods transfer, but they can also be easily taken by car. That is why motorways are the most important entry points for potentially invasive mosquito species,” explained Hans-Peter Führer from the Institute for Parasitology at the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna Austrian press agency.

The expert believes that monitoring is urgently needed to be able to track whether the tiger mosquito is spreading further in the country. “If so, you have to take control measures, otherwise dengue or chikungunya outbreaks can occur as in France and Italy.”

Here we explain how dangerous dengue fever is and how you can protect yourself.

How to recognize the Asian tiger mosquito

On the outside, you can quickly recognize the Asian tiger mosquito: it has striped lower legs and a striped body. The back of the mosquito is also adorned with a striking white stripe. At around ten millimeters in length, the tiger mosquito is smaller than the common house mosquito.

Asian tiger mosquito bites can be dangerous

With its bite, the Asian tiger mosquito can transmit serious diseases such as yellow fever, the Zika virus, Chikungunya or dengue fever. According to mosquito expert Doreen Walther from the Leibniz Center for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF) in Müncheberg (Brandenburg), no case of such a disease transmitted via the bite is known yet in Germany. If you are stung by an Asian tiger mosquito, you should be careful, but do not panic. Watch for flu-like symptoms like fever and body aches. If this is the case, you should definitely consult a doctor.

Our domestic mosquitoes can also increasingly transmit dangerous diseases, as German experts now warn.

How do you get rid of the tiger mosquito?

The Asian tiger mosquito likes a humid, warm climate and is at the same time frugal: as a breeding ground, moist niches or rain barrels or even the water in a flower pot saucer are enough. If you discover larvae in such a breeding site, you can drain them and take away the mosquito’s habitat.

In addition, the Asian tiger mosquito is extremely sensitive to wind: a fan can be enough to drive it away. Unlike the house mosquito, it buzzes around during the day and early evening, looking for prey. Long clothes and mosquito candles can help to avoid being stung. The Asian tiger mosquito finds the smell of lemon and cloves particularly corrosive.

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