2023-09-13 00:39:33
The high temperatures of August have led to the rapid spread of the tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) putting several locations in Spain and its different territories on alert.
Apart from the painful bite that produces a strong allergic reaction, this mosquito is one of the potential vectors of Zika, yellow fever and chikungunya.. When a mosquito bites a person infected with one of these viruses and subsequently bites another, it can transmit the disease, which is why authorities continuously monitor its population.
Expansion of the tiger mosquito in the Iberian Peninsula / Infographic: EA
It is an invasive species from Asia, black in color, with a white line from the head to the thorax and white spots on the legs and abdomen.
The female tiger mosquito, which bites, feeds on the blood of mammals and the male on nectar. It also has a peculiarity and that is that remains active during the day, unlike most mosquitoes, which tend to bite more at dawn and dusk.
Their favorite places to breed are urban areas with an abundance of containers with standing water. Pots, drums or small pools are the places chosen by the female to lay her eggs..
The tiger mosquito, native to Southeast Asia, first arrived in Spain in 2004, mainly through the used tire trade, which provides a favorable environment for its transport.. In its early days, it was detected in the region of Catalonia, but its spread since then has been notable. Until 2023, its presence has been registered in more than 40 Spanish provinces, covering both the coastal regions of the Mediterranean and the northern and western areas of the country.
An intriguing feature of the tiger mosquito is its limited flight ability, which extends to approximately 500 meters under normal conditions.. This has led to the theory that its expansion in Spain has occurred largely through its “journey” in various types of vehicles, such as cars and trucks. This adaptability and mobility make the control of this species a constant challenge for health and environmental authorities.
The presence of the tiger mosquito in Spain raises public health concerns, since It is a vector for diseases such as dengue and the Zika virus.. Therefore, it is essential for local communities and authorities to take prevention and control measures, such as eliminating potential mosquito breeding sites in urban areas and raising public awareness. on how to protect yourself from bites. Knowledge and collective action are essential to mitigate the impact of this invasive species in Spain.
Prevention and control of the tiger mosquito, a highly adaptable species, poses significant challenges. To address this problem, regular awareness campaigns are carried out among the population. These campaigns seek to educate people on how to avoid places conducive to the breeding of these mosquitoes and encourage citizens to inform health authorities when they detect the presence of the tiger mosquito in their environment.
In the Spanish context, the local transmission of diseases transmitted by the tiger mosquito has been limited and has generally been related to imported cases. People who acquire these diseases abroad can become a source of infection for local mosquitoes. Despite this possibility, The risk of large-scale epidemics in Spain remains, until now, relatively low.
However, it is crucial to maintain vigilance and awareness at all times, as the adaptability of the tiger mosquito may present ongoing challenges in the future. Prevention remains the best strategy to avoid the spread of mosquito-borne diseases, and cooperation between the population and health authorities plays a fundamental role in managing this risk. Information and collective action are essential tools in the fight against the proliferation of this insect and the prevention of diseases associated with the tiger mosquito.
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