Tuesday, 19 Nov 2024

Deadly virus-carrying Asian tiger mosquitoes to invade UK as they swarm north from Europe

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Originally from Southeast Asia, they are a daytime-biting insect that can transmit harmful diseases like Eastern Equine Encephalitis, Zika virus, West Nile virus, Chikungunya, and dengue fever. The mosquito migration could be a reaction to changes in temperature due to global warming. It was first noticed in Nice in 2004 and has moved north across France over the years.

It is now sweeping across the country towards the UK and even reached Paris in 2018.

Over half of France is now in the red danger zone.

This zone represents areas where the mosquito is “implanted” and “active”.

The news of the spread is particularly worrying given the insects’ preference for urban environments.

The dangerous mosquito is easily recognisable thanks to its black and white stripes.

It is not currently known to carry the coronavirus.

The news comes after Ibiza has been hit by an invasion of aggressive Asian Tiger mosquitoes that are four times bigger than normal.

Experts say the spiralling numbers are an unexpected spin-off result from the coronavirus pandemic, as strict lockdown rules have closed hotels and holiday villas.

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Health officials say they are likely to be coming from untreated swimming pools left stagnant because of coronavirus lockdown conditions.

As a result of Spain’s stringent lockdown conditions pools have been untreated for several months.

The still waters have then attracted huge plagues of the dangerous tiger mosquito.

Asian tiger mosquitoes are far more aggressive than their European cousins.

They can bite through clothing and can then spread their deadly diseases.

Asian tiger mosquitoes are also known as forest mosquitoes.

They are an exotic species that get their “tiger” name from the single white stripe down the centre of their head and back.

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