European experts are raising concerns about the spread of mosquitoes carrying diseases like dengue and chikungunya in new areas of Europe. They attribute this expansion to factors such as more frequent heatwaves, increased flooding, and longer, warmer summers, which create favorable conditions for these insects.
The
experts emphasize the need for improved measures to control and protect against
mosquitoes to prevent a rise in illnesses and deaths caused by mosquito-borne
diseases.
A report
by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) tracks the
movement of various mosquito species capable of transmitting viruses to humans.
Among these viruses are dengue and Zika, which can lead to a range of symptoms,
including fevers, muscle aches, and, in severe cases, serious illness.
According
to the report, the Aedes albopictus mosquito, known to carry dengue and
chikungunya, has now established itself in 13 European countries with
self-sustaining populations, compared to just eight countries a decade ago.
Additionally, Aedes aegypti, capable of spreading diseases like yellow fever,
Zika, and West Nile virus, has become established in Cyprus, raising concerns
about further spread to other countries.
According
to the report, in 2022:
there
were 1,133 human cases of West Nile virus and 92 deaths, with the majority of
cases acquired in Europe - the highest since the peak of about 1,548 cases in
2018.
cases
were reported in Italy, Greece, Romania, Germany, Hungry, Croatia, Austria,
France, Spain, Slovakia and Bulgaria.
71 cases
of locally acquired dengue were recorded in mainland Europe - equivalent to the
total number reported between 2010 and 2021.
cases of
dengue were seen in France and Spain
Andrea
Ammon, ECDC director, said: "In recent years we have seen a geographical
spread of invasive mosquito species to previously unaffected areas in the
EU/EEA.
"If
this continues, we can expect to see more cases and possibly deaths from
diseases such as dengue, chikungunya and West Nile fever.
"Efforts
need to focus on ways to control mosquito populations, enhancing surveillance
and enforcing personal protective measures."
Experts
recommend eliminating standing water sources where mosquitoes breed and using
eco-friendly larvicides, alongside increasing awareness of the personal
measures people can take to protect themselves.
These
include:
- using
insecticide-treated bed nets
- sleeping
in air-conditioned rooms
- using
window screens
- wearing
clothes that cover most of the body
- using
mosquito repellent
The ECDC
says it is "essential" that healthcare workers and the public have a
greater awareness of the different diseases transmitted by mosquitoes.
Dengue
(spread by mosquitoes that bite during the day) can cause a fever, severe
headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain, and a blotchy rash.
The
number of cases has grown around the world in recent decades. It is endemic in
more than 100 countries in Africa, the Americas, South and South East Asia, and
the Western Pacific region.
Most
cases of West Nile virus do not cause symptoms, but when people fall ill the
virus can cause headaches, severe tiredness, muscle aches, vomiting, rashes and
eye pain.
Older
people and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of a form of
the illness that affects the brain and can be fatal.
The most
common symptoms of chikungunya virus are fever and joint pain, alongside
headaches, muscle pain and rashes.
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