The “Japanese mosquito” is rapidly spreading in Italy: how to recognize it, how to defend yourself and what are the risks to human health
A new species of mosquito is rapidly spreading in Italy, the “Japanese mosquito“, Which appears more aggressive and resistant than the Tiger mosquito. Its invasion began in North-East Italy, in Friuli, but it could also reach elsewhere. The Republic has asked some experts to get some clarification on the habits of this insect.
Japanese mosquito: characteristics and habits
“The Japanese mosquito (Aedes japonicus) is born in the woods, but in Europe and we find it in cities and even in small towns surrounded by nature”, said Dr. Fabrizio Montarsi, head of the parasitology laboratory of the Zooprophylactic Institute of Padua. . It looks like the tiger mosquito, but it is bigger and more aggressive.
According to Annapaola Rizzoli, veterinary surgeon of the Edmund Mach Foundation, one of the risks is that the insect can transmigrate towards the western part of Northern Italy.
Its ability to settle in new territories is also due to its “remarkable resistance to long distances and the ability to develop into a series of natural and artificial containers in which there is stagnation of water”.
Japanese mosquito: the risks to human health
However, what concerns the experts most are the possible diseases, such as Dengue, Chikungunya and West Nile Disease, which could spread the mosquito by feeding on human blood. Montarsi specified: “Another consequence would be the Japanese headache, but in Europe so far we have not found any cases. In fact, for the virus to be transmitted, there must be the insect, the virus and the exact same environment in which this transmission is possible, typically that of Southeast Asia ”.
How to defend yourself from the Japanese mosquito
Rizzoli explained that to avoid a real invasion of this insect, it is necessary to adopt some practices to prevent its proliferation: “Do not leave open containers that can fill with water, do not stack materials, use mosquito nets, empty and overturn the watering cans, keep the areas where you live clean “.
Virgil News | 09-27-2021 09:04
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