Alarm in Oderbruch: Unknown mosquito could transmit diseases!
Alarm in Oderbruch: Unknown mosquito could transmit diseases!
Oderbruch, Deutschland - A previously unknown mosquito species, the Anopheles Hyrcanus, was recently found in the Oderbruch, Germany. This was done as part of a Germany-wide mosquito monitoring. The site is remarkable because it is the northernmost evidence of this kind in Germany, as Doreen Werner from the Leibniz Center for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF) reports. The discovery is interpreted as a potential reference to the effects of climate change.
Anopheles Hyrcanus is a heat -loving mosquito species that is mainly widespread in the Mediterranean and occurs in late summer. Female mosquitoes of this kind need blood meals to develop their eggs. Evidence of blood meals on humans as well as wolves and sheep have been documented, which makes it clear the dangers of this type of mosquito as a transmitter, especially with regard to malaria.
Research on Anophele's Hyrcanus is limited, however, since a laboratory breeding of this type of mosquito has so far not been successful. Studies such as an investigation into the appearance of the mosquito in southern Poland warn of a possible further spread in Europe, which could be favored by increasing temperatures. It is expected that this type of mosquito could settle in nearby countries such as the Czech Republic and Austria. Careful monitoring is recommended as urgent.
climate change and new infectious diseases
climate change not only favors the settlement of new mosquito species, but also the spread of previously unknown infectious diseases in Germany. Dr. Stephanie Thomas, an ecologist at the University of Bayreuth, emphasizes that milder winters and warmer summer promote the spread of disease staples such as mosquitoes and ticks. High temperatures also shorten the development times of viruses in these transfers.
Currently there is a high mosquito population, especially in southern Germany. Combating these mosquito types is difficult because biological control means are often out of print and mosquito protection from the pharmacy is not always available. A major problem is also the lack of central data collection via mosquitoes and associated illness cases. This makes the assessment and management of health risks difficult.
In the context of these developments, reference is also made to the Asian tiger mosquito, which can be responsible for the transfer of diseases such as Dengue and Chikungunya. While the dengue virus in Germany has not yet been transferred through this mosquito, there are worrying reports from cases in northern Italy. With the increasing probability of transmissions in Germany, constant training of doctors to new infectious diseases is required. In summary, it can be said that the current detection of the anopheles Hyrcanus and the general developments in the area of mosquito population in Germany represent alarming signals for the future. Despite the challenges that climate change brings with it, comprehensive protection against new diseases.For further information on the effects of climate change on mosquitoes and its disease sponsors you can read the article by rbbb24 Mosquito species and their control in Europe on Parasites & Vectors . For the current connection between climate change and infectious diseases, we recommend a look at the article by ZDF .
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| Ort | Oderbruch, Deutschland |
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