"Alarmingly" high number of tiger mosquitoes in Belgium last year

With winter approaching, the mosquito season officially comes to an end. With no fewer than 12 sightings of the Asian tiger mosquito, however, the mosquito season in Belgium was more exotic than usual this year. "Unexpected and worrying," national public health institute Sciensano stated on Monday.

Every year, Sciensano and the Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITG) in Antwerp monitor the presence of exotic mosquito species in Belgium. Usually, observations happen in motorway car parks, where mosquitoes enter our country via international traffic. But this year, most reports came in via the participation platform where citizens can submit photos. Nine cases involved a tiger mosquito, often in gardens.

The fact that the figure is so high this year, is "unexpected and worrying" according to Javiera Rebolledo, epidemiologist and project manager at Sciensano. "Clearly, the contribution of citizens in tiger mosquito monitoring is of great value and complements active monitoring."

ITG warns that a large number of findings increases the chances of overwintering eggs and, thus, the establishment of the tiger mosquito in Belgium.

Tiger mosquitoes exhibit a more aggressive biting behaviour than domestic mosquito species in Belgium. This not only causes a greater nuisance but also increases the chances of transmitting viruses from one person to another. ITG warns that a large number of findings increases the chances of overwintering eggs and, thus, the establishment of the tiger mosquito in Belgium.

Sciensano calls on citizens to use the MosquitoSurveillance platform from the start of the mosquito season, in mid-April, and watch out for tiger mosquitoes themselves.

(BRV)

^{© AFP PHOTO / EID Mediterranee}