Increasing spread of dangerous invasive mosquitoes – naturopathy & naturopathic specialist portal

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So far around 50 mosquito species are known in Austria – and new potentially invasive species are emerging, the researchers at the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna (Vetmeduni Vienna) report on their study results. Several mosquito species originally from Asia are spreading in Tyrol. This also increases the risk of transmitting dangerous viruses such as dengue, chikungunya and zika. Monitoring the mosquito fauna is therefore imperative.

Spread of new mosquito species

AdvertisementOverall, the central results of the study are not very pleasing, reports the research team. There are first signs that the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) has already established itself in Tyrol, i.e. hibernates there and is not introduced every year, and that the Japanese bush mosquito (Aedes japonicus) is now native to Tyrol. It can also be found in all other federal states in Austria.

Korean bush mosquito first detected in Austria

For the first time, the researchers were also able to detect the Korean bush mosquito (Aedes koreicus) in Austria. In Germany, scientists from the Senckenberg Research Institute had already proven this in Hessen in 2019 and explicitly before the Risks of mosquito invasion warned. Aedes koreicus is considered a potential vector for the Japanese encephalitis virus, the Chikungunya virus and a vector for nematodes (dirofilaria). The German research team published the results in the specialist magazine “Parasitology Research” released.

Mosquito occurrence examined at 67 locations

AdvertisementThe Austrian researchers headed by student author Hans-Peter Führer from the Institute for Parasitology at Vetmeduni Vienna have now used ovitraps (devices on which mosquitoes lay their eggs) to investigate the spread of mosquitoes in Tyrol. “As part of the scientific mosquito monitoring program, ovitraps were set up weekly at 67 locations from May to October 2018 – 17 in East Tyrol and 50 in North Tyrol,” according to the Vienna University of Veterinary Medicine.

Sampling was carried out on motorways and in urban and rural areas. The research team reported that the number of stinging new arrivals was quite high. Eggs from non-native mosquitoes were found at 18 of 67 locations (27%). The Asian tiger mosquito and the Japanese bush mosquito have been documented both on motorways and in urban areas in East and North Tyrol, and the Korean bush mosquito has been detected for the first time in East Tyrol.

High importance for public health

Advertisement“The detection of the Asian tiger mosquito, the Japanese bush mosquito and the Korean bush mosquito is of great importance for the population, for public health and for the relevant decision-makers”, emphasizes student author Hans-Peter Führer. In particular, the Asian tiger mosquito can transmit dangerous pathogens such as dengue, chikungunya and zika, while native mosquitoes are unable to do so. “In addition, the new mosquito species have some other unpleasant side effects because they are very annoying, can occur in large quantities and also bite during the day,” reports the expert.

Tiger mosquitoes particularly problematic

According to the author of the study, there are around 3,500 mosquito species worldwide, many of which are potential disease carriers and the spread of which can have a significant impact on human and animal health. In Europe, new diseases are threatened primarily by the increased establishment of non-native mosquitoes of the genus Aedes. The tiger mosquito repeatedly causes local transmissions of the potentially life-threatening viral diseases dengue and chikungunya, for example in France and Italy, reports Führer.

Mosquito invasion on the highways

In view of the current findings “continuous monitoring of the new mosquito species is urgently required,” emphasizes the expert. And he also explains why the highways are hot spots of the mosquito invasion. “Non-resident mosquito species are mainly brought in by goods transfer, but they can also simply travel by car. Motorways are therefore the most important entry point for invasive mosquito species, ”said the author of the study. (fp)