Asian tiger mosquito in Ansbach: population called for vigilance

Asian tiger mosquito in Ansbach: population called for vigilance

The Asian tiger mosquito has now also reached Bavaria, which can be seen from a current report by the State Office for Health and Food Safety (LGL). A citizen from Detwang in the Ansbach district reported the viewing of these partly feared insect. The city of Fürth has already determined the mosquito and assumes that it can no longer be fully pushed back there. This development is worrying because the tiger mosquito is not at home in Germany and can transmit various pathogens, including the Dengue and Zika virus.

The spread of the Asian tiger mosquito is favored by international travel and global goods. More and more suitable habitats for this mosquito are being created in Germany, which alerts the health authorities. The health department of the Ansbach district office immediately initiated measures to investigate the mosquito population. The number of tiger mosquitoes in the region is to be determined using fishing equipment. The responsible bodies ask the population to report any further sightings of the mosquito in order to better understand the spread.

characteristics of the Asian tiger mosquito

The Asian tiger mosquito is characterized by some characteristic features:

• It has a height of 0.5 to 1.0 centimeters, which makes it comparatively small.
• The black and white coloring of the body and the legs, decorated with five white rings on the back pair.
• Another special feature is the aggressive sting activity of the mosquito, which not only stabs at night, but also during the day.

In order to effectively encounter the increase in the population and the associated risks, the list of mosquito traps in Detwang is supported by the health department. In addition, the authorities and the district office are obliged to clarify the residents about prevention measures. These measures are largely focused on avoiding water accumulation, which can serve as breeding sites for the mosquitoes.

prevention measures in the private area

citizens can make a significant contribution to the containment of the Asian tiger mosquito by taking preventive measures in their households. Here are some recommendations:

• water container, such as rain barrels, should be covered with lids or fine -meshed nets to prevent access for mosquitoes.
• It is advisable to remove or store unused containers, vases and similar objects in which water could collect.

In addition, the population is pointed out to capture found mosquitoes and to send it to the LGL for further examination. To do this, the mosquito should be transported in a suitable container, such as a match box, so that it remains as undamaged as possible.

Although the situation is serious, there is currently no increased risk of infection in Bavaria, since no transmissions of diseases through the tiger mosquito have so far been documented. In Germany, populations of this kind have been listed, especially in Baden-Württemberg,, however, the health authorities have a pronouncement in view and work to contain the spread.