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Tiger mosquitoes in Germany transmit infectious diseases
Although mosquito bites are generally harmless in this country, meanwhile mosquito species have been detected in Germany, which can transmit dangerous infectious diseases. In some southern European countries, certain exotic mosquitoes are now even considered settled. Sting the bloodsucker should be best avoided.
Ideal weather for mosquitoes
Around 3,500 species of mosquitoes are known worldwide, with around 50 species in Germany alone. In this year there is an ideal weather for mosquitoes in this country. The little bloodsuckers are not dangerous, but they can be quite uncomfortable. However, the increasing spread of exotic mosquitoes such as the Asian tiger mosquito in Germany is viewed with concern. The Federal Environment Agency reports: "In the recent past, the globalization and global warming have increasingly led to the introduction, establishment and spread of several exotic mosquito species in Europe."
Experts are worried about the spread of exotic mosquito species in Germany. Some mosquitoes can transmit dangerous diseases. (Image: mycteria / fotolia.com) Spread of exotic mosquito species
These include Aedes albopictus (Asian tiger mosquito), Aedes aegypti (yellow fever mosquito) and Aedes japonicus (Asian bush mosquito). As some of them are considered to be efficient vectors of human and animal pathogens, their geographical coverage is closely monitored, inter alia, by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). The Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine (BNI) has in the past pointed to the spread of Japanese bush mosquitoes and tiger mosquitoes.
Settlements of Asian bush mosquito in Germany
A project established by the Leibniz Center for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF) and the Friedrich Loeffler Institute (FLI), Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, maps when, where and with what species the mosquitoes occur in Germany. According to a report by the ZALF, the scientists were able to prove the settlements of the Asian bush mosquito in North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Lower Saxony, Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria and Thuringia. According to this, the Asian tiger mosquito, which is considered to be a much more dangerous carrier of pathogens, was found in Baden-Württemberg and Thuringia.
Research came to a halt after the eradication of malaria
Dr. Doreen Walther from ZALF assumes that we will not be able to get rid of the Asian bush mosquito in Germany. The mosquito, which can transmit the West Nile fever among other things, copes well with the climate in Central Europe. The tiger mosquito, the dengue fever or the Chikungunya fever can carry on, it has apparently already managed to overwinter in our latitudes. Since malaria was eradicated in Germany, research on mosquitoes came to a standstill - until 2006, the Bluetongue disease (Schmallenberg virus) thousands of cattle and sheep died. This ensured that scientists saw an urgent need for action. For example, the mosquito Atlas was initiated in 2012 in order to gain knowledge about mosquitoes nationwide and also from remote areas. There are more plans.
It says in a statement: "In the long term, it is planned to follow the mosquito Atlas comparable projects for other bloodsuckers and potential carriers of pathogens, such as ticks, biting midges, gnats and brakes. So then, for example, would be a tick Atlas, etc. arise. "
Protect against stings
It is true that in some European countries where exotic mosquitoes have migrated, "local or regional control measures are taken on a regular basis to prevent the establishment and spread of the species and / or transmission of pathogens," explained the Federal Environment Agency. But previous control activities were the less successful the later they were used. So to protect yourself from infectious diseases, you should know what helps against annoying mosquitoes. They certainly can not escape completely, but with the help of special mosquito sprays you can keep most of the bloodsuckers away. Furthermore, you can protect yourself at home or in the tent by mosquito nets and outdoor by bright, skin-covering clothing from bites.
According to research, the bloodsuckers are attracted by bad smell, like sweat or smelly socks. This should therefore be avoided. Experts advise against using UV lamps and similar electrical insect killing equipment. On the one hand, their effectiveness is limited anyway. And on the other hand, one should not reduce the mosquito population in this country, since the annoying tormentors biologically yes indeed have their meaning. For example, their eggs and larvae are an important link in the food chain. Also read: The best home remedies for mosquitoes. (Ad)