The Asian tiger mosquito was found in the GGD Hollands Midden region in October. An attentive citizen of the municipality of Katwijk sent the mosquito to the Dutch Food and Consumer Safety Authority (NVWA). He confirmed that it is the Asian tiger mosquito.
Asian tiger mosquito
Of Asian tiger mosquito is an exotic mosquito that is not found naturally in the Netherlands. The mosquito can transmit dengue (dengue fever) or chikungunya. To do this, he himself must be infected with one of these diseases. In the Netherlands, these diseases only occur in people who have recently traveled to (sub) tropical areas and been bitten by a mosquito there.
In the Netherlands it has not yet happened that someone has fallen ill due to the bite of a tiger mosquito from the Netherlands. The chance that people can now get sick from the mosquitoes found is therefore very small.
NVWA role
NVWA is currently monitoring and fighting these mosquitoes on the spot. These measures are taken as a precaution to prevent the tiger mosquito from settling in the Netherlands.
GGD role
Since this mosquito can transmit infections, the GGD is always informed if the tiger mosquito is found. People can contact the GGD if they have any questions about their health. The GGD will then provide explanations and advice.
Do you think you have seen a tiger mosquito?
Then report it to NVWA. Try to catch or kill the mosquito. Take pictures of the mosquito against a neutral background. Save the mosquito for possible investigation and report it. The NVWA evaluates whether it is indeed a tiger mosquito and will sometimes contact you for more information.
For more information on how to recognize a tiger mosquito and how to report to NVWA, see: www.nvwa.nl/onderwerpen/muggen-knutten-en-teken/aziatische-tijgermug.
For more information on the tiger mosquito, you can also visit the RIVM website: www.rivm.nl/veelgestelde-vragen-over-aziatische-tijgermug.
