Mosquito numbers rise in Cyprus due to heat and rain — Cyprus Mail
Prolonged hot weather and recent rains in Cyprus have created favorable conditions for mosquito breeding. Health services have also recorded an increase in their numbers in traps over the past three years. This year, 14 cases of West Nile virus, transmitted by common mosquitoes of the Culex genus, have been registered in the country, Cyprus Mail reports.
West Nile virus
Irodotos Irodotou, a representative of the Health Ministry's health services, explained that high temperatures for a significant part of the year, combined with rainfall, have increased the number of sites suitable for mosquito breeding.
West Nile virus is mainly transmitted to humans through bites from infected mosquitoes. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on the blood of infected birds, which are the virus's main hosts. According to Irodotou, person-to-person transmission is very difficult. Humans and mammals are considered dead-end hosts because the level of the virus in their blood is insufficient to infect other mosquitoes.
Cyprus health services have been carrying out mosquito population control measures since the 1950s, when malaria was still present on the island. Treatment is conducted near rivers and at other insect breeding sites; the substances used act on mosquitoes at the larval stage.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
Aedes and prevention
Over the past two years, mosquitoes of the Aedes genus have also appeared in Cyprus. The Aedes aegypti species has so far been detected only in Larnaca, while Aedes albopictus, known as the Asian tiger mosquito, is already found across the island. Both species are capable of carrying diseases, including dengue fever.
Irodotou stressed that the presence of mosquitoes capable of carrying diseases does not mean that the corresponding viruses are circulating in Cyprus. At the same time, if an infected case is imported, transmission of the infection could potentially become possible. Health services take measures following a confirmed case in humans or laboratory detection of the virus; such measures were also applied after the virus was detected in a horse. The authorities held a meeting with municipalities to improve coordination of mosquito control.
Unlike Culex mosquitoes, which mainly disturbed people in the evening and at night, Aedes mosquitoes also bite during the day. The official advised residents to remove standing water near their homes and check drains, containers, plant pots, and unused swimming pools. To protect against bites, he recommended mosquito screens on windows and doors, bed nets, fans, and repellents.
