Cypriots Warned of Disease Threats from Tiger Mosquitoes

A Cyprus-based platform dedicated to forecasting and managing insect-borne diseases has raised the alarm about the growing threat of infections transmitted by tiger mosquitoes in Europe.

According to Cyprus-mail, the platform has published new data indicating an increasing risk of contracting dangerous diseases such as dengue fever, chikungunya, and other mosquito-borne infections in Cyprus.

The study's authors emphasize the urgent need for intensive monitoring of infection carriers and preventive measures to protect public health in the coming months. They note that Zika, dengue, and chikungunya fevers are transmitted by Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, commonly known as Asian tiger mosquitoes. These mosquitoes are named for their origin and distinctive black-and-white stripes. This highly invasive species arrived in Europe in the 1970s and has since spread across the continent, making new areas vulnerable to disease outbreaks and posing a significant health risk.

This year, the platform predicts a global expansion of risk zones compared to the past decade. In Europe, elevated risks have been identified along the ecological suitability boundary, stretching from the Netherlands to Turkey and into the Levant and Mesopotamian regions.

Major cities at risk include Athens, Barcelona, Bucharest, Istanbul, Madrid, Milan, Naples, Paris, and Rome, as well as cities in North Africa.

A notable example is the prediction of Cyprus's climate suitability for the tiger mosquito almost a decade before its arrival and establishment on the island. Guided by this forecast and subsequent discoveries, the Cyprus Institute is now collaborating with the Ministry of Health to implement effective and environmentally safe strategies for controlling invasive mosquito species on the island.