Leading experts warn that mosquitoes carrying diseases like dengue and chikungunya have spread to new regions of Europe, raising the risk of illness.
According to European scientists, more frequent heatwaves, flooding, and longer, warmer summers have improved the environment for the insects.
Better mosquito prevention and control measures are being demanded.
Without these, they warn that mosquito-borne diseases will likely cause more illness and fatalities.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) released a report tracking the spread of various mosquito species that can carry and transmit a wide range of viruses to people.
These include dengue and Zika, which can result in a variety of symptoms like fevers and aches in the muscles and, in the worst cases, can leave people critically ill.
The Aedes albopictus mosquito, which is known to transmit dengue and chikungunya, is said to have "established" itself in 13 European countries this year, as opposed to eight countries a decade ago, according to the ECDC report.
Scientists caution that Aedes aegypti, which can spread diseases like yellow fever, Zika, and West Nile virus, established itself in Cyprus last year and may continue to spread to other nations.
In 2022, the report states:.
- the majority of cases were acquired in Europe, and there were 92 deaths as a result of the West Nile virus, making this year's numbers the highest since the peak of approximately 1,548 cases in 2018.
- Cases have been reported in Slovakia, Bulgaria, Greece, Romania, Germany, Hungary, Croatia, Austria, and France.
- The number of locally acquired dengue cases reported between 2010 and 2021 was equal to the 71 cases that were reported in continental Europe.
- In France and Spain, dengue cases have been reported.
"We have seen a geographical spread of invasive mosquito species to previously unaffected areas in the EU/EEA," ECDC director Andrea Ammon said.
We can anticipate more cases and possibly fatalities from illnesses like dengue, chikungunya, and West Nile fever if this trend keeps up.
The key to controlling mosquito populations is to increase surveillance and enforce personal protective equipment. ".
In addition to raising awareness of the individual precautions people can take to protect themselves, experts advise eliminating standing water sources where mosquitoes breed and using eco-friendly larvicides.
These comprise:.
- the use of bed nets treated with insecticide.
- having air-conditioned rooms to sleep in.
- the use of window screens.
- wearing attire that mostly encloses the body.
- making use of insect repellent.
A greater understanding of the various diseases spread by mosquitoes among the general public and among healthcare professionals is "essential," according to the ECDC.
A blotchy rash, a fever, a severe headache, and pain behind the eyes can all be symptoms of dengue, which is transmitted by daytime biting mosquitoes.
In recent decades, there have been an increase in cases all over the world. In Africa, the Americas, South and South-East Asia, and the Western Pacific, it is endemic in more than 100 nations.
While the majority of West Nile virus cases go unnoticed, when it does, the illness can be accompanied by headaches, extreme fatigue, muscle aches, vomiting, rashes, and eye pain.
A type of the illness that affects the brain and can be fatal is more common in older people and those with weakened immune systems.
Fever and joint pain, along with headaches, muscle pain, and rashes, are the most typical signs of the chikungunya virus.
