Home » Health » Asian tiger mosquito: how dangerous is the invasive mosquito species?

Asian tiger mosquito: how dangerous is the invasive mosquito species?

Updated on August 18, 2020, 10:44 a.m.

This year the conditions for mosquitoes are ideal. As soon as you step outside, the annoying humming starts. Some specimens are particularly penetrating. These include the Asian tiger mosquito. She immigrated to Germany – and seems to want to stay. This is how dangerous the invasive species is and how you can protect yourself.

You can find more topics on home & garden here

In Germany are home to over 50 species of mosquitoes. However, there are also types that immigrated in the past few years are. Like the Asian tiger mosquito. This is due to climate change.

The animals can be recognized by their white stripes. They swarm around their victims. Pursue them penetratively. Only seconds after being scared away, they attack their victim again.

The mosquito species is particularly widespread in large cities and – unlike native species – often uses small water reservoirs, for example in the saucers of flower pots. There are already populations in the federal states of Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Thuringia and Hesse. Finds of eggs and mosquitoes According to experts, there has been a significant increase in the Upper Rhine region.

Scientists from the Friedrich Loeffler Institute (FLI) now want to use a study to check whether the mosquitoes have already immigrated to Berlin and Brandenburg. The animals are also spreading in other European countries, such as Italy, France and Greece.

What diseases does the Asian tiger mosquito carry?

The Asian tiger mosquito can transmit over 20 different pathogens. Among other things, they are considered to be Carrier of tropical pathogens such as Zika, Chikungunya, West Nile, and Dengue viruses.

Unlike the West Nile virus, Zika cannot be transmitted by domestic, but only by exotic Aedes mosquitoes. The first caught by tiger mosquitoes in Europe There were transmitted infections in southern France.

In all likelihood, however, these are not the first cases in Europe. According to the Robert Koch Institute, all infections with the Zika virus recorded in Germany concerned travelers, with the exception of a single known case of sexual transmission in 2016.

An infection often goes undetected, since there are usually no symptoms or these are only weakly pronounced. However, infection can have serious consequences for women if they fall ill early in pregnancy. In infants, brain and skull malformations can occur.

How big is the risk of infection?

The presence of tiger mosquitoes does not automatically mean that there is an increased risk of infection. The temperature is decisive. The viruses can only multiply well in the mosquitoes when it is hot. Usually the temperatures in Germany are not sufficient for this, even in summer.

If a tiger mosquito bites an infected person, the virus ingested can multiply in the animal. If the insect stings again, the pathogen can be transmitted to other people. According to the current state of knowledge, however, the species is unable to cause large Zika outbreaks.

The situation is different with the Chikungunya virus. It is probably the most dangerous for Germany. The pathogen causes long-lasting joint problems, for example in the hand. These are often misunderstood as rheumatic diseases.

In contrast to the Zika virus, the pathogen can multiply in mosquitoes even at moderate temperatures. In Italy There have already been major outbreaks caused by the Chikungunya virus.

What are the symptoms of an infection?

Most people develop some symptoms after being infected with the Chikungunya virus. These appear around three to seven days after the mosquito bite. The most common symptoms of infection are fever and joint pain.

Those affected can also suffer from joint swelling, rashes, and headaches or muscle pain. The symptoms of the dengue or Zika virus are similar. Most of the time, the Chikungunya virus alone does not lead to death. However, symptoms can laut der “Centers for Disease Control and Prevention” (CDC) be very serious and debilitate the person concerned.

Some people are at particularly high risk of developing the disease more seriously:

  • Newborn
  • People over 65 years of age
  • People with illnesses such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or a heart condition

Most patients feel better after a week. Others complain of joint pain for months. Has a person first come to terms with the Virus infected, it is likely to be protected from re-infection, according to the CDC. There is currently no vaccination against the virus.

What do you have to consider in the event of an infection?

If you have been bitten by a mosquito and experience the above symptoms on yourself, it is advisable to see a doctor. This will take the necessary steps in the event of an infection.

Just like with a common cold or other illnesses, the following applies here too: Relax and drink enough fluids. Since there is still no medicine specifically for the disease, only the symptoms can be treated so far. If you have a fever or pain, the doctor can give you a suitable pain reliever.

If you are also taking other medications, it is best to speak to your doctor beforehand. This way, complications can be excluded.

You need to be careful of mosquito bites, especially in the first week. For the first time, the Chikungunya virus can be found in the blood. A mosquito can ingest the virus through a bite and then transmit it to other people.

How can you prevent the Asian tiger mosquitoes?

In the fight against mosquitoes, it is necessary that everyone help. One or two plots of land where the animals find optimal conditions can already contaminate entire areas. Open water points in gardens, such as rain barrels, watering cans or bird baths, must be dried out or covered. So-called BTI tablets for rain barrels can also help. The biological agent destroys the intestines of the mosquito larvae – and kills them.

Researchers are also using sterilized males to try to curb the spread of the mosquito. They released some 100,000 copies. The females mate only once and use the stored sperm throughout their life.

If you find a dead mosquito that you believe is the Asian tiger mosquito, you can send it in. The Leibniz Center for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF) in Müncheberg and the FLI will determine the animal.

If the scientists actually get a copy, someone often drives to the site. If a population has settled there, the local authorities are informed. These take care of a fight. In this way, stocks in Germany have already been eliminated.

How can you protect yourself from stings?

So that you do not become infected with a tropical pathogen, you have to make sure that mosquitoes do not bite you. Logical. And that’s very easy:

  • Use insect repellants.
  • Wear long sleeves and pants.
  • Turn on an air conditioner.
  • Put mosquito screens on windows and doors.
  • Always repair holes in attached nets immediately.
  • Tip for parents: cover strollers and baby carriers with a net.

Sources used:

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: “Symptoms, Diagnosis, & Treatment”
  • Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut: “National Expert Commission” Mosquitoes as carriers of pathogens “
  • dpa

Mosquitoes regularly drive us crazy. They leave nasty and itchy bites. Here you can see how you can easily relieve the annoying itching with simple home remedies.


Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.