In Europe, mosquitoes may also spread illnesses. The Natural History Museum's new atlas of Luxembourg mosquitoes aids in the prevention of these illnesses.
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| Asian Tiger Mosquito in Europe |
Christian Ries has had a bad encounter with West Nile Virus. He got the virus while on vacation in Vienna a few years back. "I was unlucky to be one of the 2% who suffer serious sickness," says the now-retired curator of the Musée national d'histoire naturelle's ecology division (MNHN).
This event made Christian Ries question about the degree of mosquito knowledge in Luxembourg. In 2016, he began trapping mosquitos and discovered a new species to Luxembourg. It became evident very soon that a professional would be required to analyze the trapped insects.
Danger from Mosquitoes
The necessity for action was reinforced in 2018 when a private individual discovered three mosquitoes in her residence in Stolzemburg, which she considered unusual and notified the Natural History Museum. This is how the Japanese bush mosquito was discovered for the first time in the United States. Last year, the Asian tiger mosquito made its first appearance in Roeser. Both are invasive species with the potential to spread illnesses including chikungunya, dengue fever, West Nile virus, and Zika virus.
A thorough understanding of the mosquito fauna can aid in the prevention of disease epidemics. This Thursday, the Musée national d'histoire naturelle in Luxembourg unveiled a mosquito atlas. It includes a taxonomy list as well as distribution maps for all reported species.
Scientific risk assessment of Asian Tiger Mosquitoes
The atlas was created under the scientific leadership of Francis Schaffner, an insect researcher at the University of Zurich, and was supported by the Swiss Ministry of Environment and Health. The atlas, as explained by Francis Schaffner, was about establishing a risk assessment based on the present scenario. He performed field research between 2019 and 2021 to this purpose. One discovery was that Luxembourg has a quite diversified fauna. The specialist is shocked that no species had vanished, as he predicted.
At the moment 28 species are present in Luxembourg. At least 15 can transmit pathogens or parasites . 18 can be a nuisance to humans . The atlas states: “As far as Luxembourg is concerned, there is no environmental or climatic reason why the Asian tiger mosquito should not establish populations in the country in the future. Climatic changes could even favor the settlement and spread of other heat-adapted species .”
According to Dr. Jean-Claude Schmit of Santé in Europe, it will most likely reach Luxembourg. It is carried by birds that have been bitten by infected mosquitos. The dengue virus may potentially infiltrate Luxembourg in isolated circumstances. People who go to areas where this virus is more widespread may carry it back with them. When these persons are bitten by mosquitos, the mosquitos get infected with the virus and can spread it to other people.
Meanwhile, the tiger mosquito made its way to Luxembourg via transit channels. A tiger mosquito that was in the automobile can escape when passengers stop in Luxembourg on their trip from southern Europe to northern Europe. Tiger mosquitos have been discovered on the Aire de Berchem. "We can restrict the spread of the tiger mosquito, especially at the beginning," Schmit asserted. So yet, no example of a tiger mosquito infecting a human with one of the viruses mentioned in Luxembourg has been verified. So far, it has just been imported cases.
Make sure there is no standing water near your home to lessen the probability of irritating insects. The mosquito atlas is available for free download from the Natural History Museum's website.
Source: Wort.lu