Latest news with #Aedesalbopictus
The Star
30 minutes ago
- Health
- The Star
Dengue fever surges in U.S. states prompt health officials to brace for new normal
SACRAMENTO, United States, July 2 (Xinhua) -- Health officials across the U.S. states of California, Florida and Texas confront an alarming reality with nearly doubling dengue fever cases nationwide, signaling the mosquito-borne disease may become a permanent fixture in communities, KFF Health News reported Wednesday. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 3,700 new dengue infections were reported last year in the contiguous United States, up from about 2,050 in 2023, the report said, adding the surge included 105 cases contracted in California, Florida or Texas -- infections acquired locally rather than through international travel. California witnessed the most dramatic escalation. In 2024, California saw 725 new dengue cases, including 18 acquired locally, state data showed. This represented a nearly threefold increase from about 250 new cases, including two acquired locally, in 2023. The disease spreads through bites from infected Aedes mosquitoes, which have expanded their territory aggressively. The Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes that transmit dengue were not known to be in the Golden State 25 years ago. They are now found in 25 counties and more than 400 cities and unincorporated communities, mostly in Southern California and the Central Valley. Michael Ben-Aderet, associate medical director of hospital epidemiology at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles, was quoted as saying that he believed dengue fever had become a "new normal" in the United States, emphasizing that the mosquito population would continue to persist. Climate change fueled the mosquito population's growth, as these mosquitoes survive best in warm urban areas, often biting during the daytime, according to Ben-Aderet. The CDC issued a health alert in March warning of the ongoing risk of dengue infection.
France 24
a day ago
- Climate
- France 24
Climate change is changing the geography of infectious disease
Europe is unusually hot. Several cities in France have been placed on an 'unprecedented' high alert on Tuesday, Spain recorded a scorching high of 46 degrees Celsius on Monday while wildfires in Turkey caused by a heatwave have forced more than 50,000 people to be evacuated from five regions in the western province of Izmir. While the heat is uncharacteristically strong, extreme weather is no longer a surprise. Science agrees that climate change caused by steadily increasing greenhouse emissions has been the primary factor for the scorching new reality that the world is forced to adapt to, be it heatwaves, floods, droughts or extreme cold. While the cumulative meteorological changes might make life more difficult for people, bacteria, pathogens and viruses are thriving in a world that's getting hotter and more humid. Climate change is bringing 'tropical', climate sensitive illnesses up north, into Europe, shifting the geography of global infectious disease. The migration of disease 'Over half of all infectious diseases confronted by humanity worldwide have been at some point aggravated and even strengthened by climatic hazards,' says Dr Aleksandra Kazmierczak, an expert on the relationship between climate change and human health at the European Environment Agency (EEA). Kazmierczak says that climatic conditions have made Europe more suitable for vector and water borne disease. 'There is a northward, temporal shift because the current climate is more suitable for pathogens. Disease season is longer – ticks, for example, are now active all year round in many places.' One of the fastest growing infectious diseases in Europe is dengue. 304 cases were reported in Europe in 2024 alone – compared to 275 cases recorded in the previous 15 years combined. 05:11 The main culprit behind dengue is the Asian tiger mosquito, or Aedes albopictus. The insect is what's known as a vector, i.e. a living organism that can transmit infectious pathogens between humans or from animals to humans. With its distinctive black and white stripes that resemble those of a zebra more than a tiger, the mosquito is capable of transmitting dengue, zika and chikungunya. Europe only experienced a handful of diseases carried by the tiger mosquito per year right up until the late 90's. Most were one-off cases brought home by travelers from South East Asia – Aedes albopictus' s native home. But with increased travel and globalization, the insect's journeys westward increased. It hopped onto cargo carriers to Albania or hitched a ride to the warmer parts of France and moved to Europe, where it remains to this day. In 2006, France officially declared dengue a notifiable disease. In 2022, its presence was detected in most of the French mainland administrative departments. The insect quickly adapted itself to urban environments, where it needs just one still body of water – an undisturbed pond or a neglected watering can – to reproduce and proliferate. The numbers have jumped so dramatically that scientists now believe that the diseases carried by Aedes albopictus will become endemic in Europe. Some researchers even say that the number of dengue and chikungunya outbreaks could increase five-fold by 2060 compared to current rates. The tiger mosquito is a known carrier of several pathogens and viruses. Climatic conditions have contributed to a geographic range expansion of several other vectors like ticks and other species of mosquitos and flies, which carry their own diseases like West Nile Fever, Lyme disease and tick-borne encephalitis. But unfortunately, it isn't just the bugs we need to be worried about. Climate change could also increase the occurrence of water-borne disease. In recent years, Europe has experienced the devastating impact of extended period of rain and floods, which wreak havoc on water treatment and distribution systems. Water can gather several pathogens from dumps, fields and pastures and flush them into water treatment and distribution systems. Kazmierczak also warns of pathogens carried in the sea: "As the arctic melts; salinity in seawater decreases, making it ideal for pathogens like vibrio. It's been seen more in the Baltic and North Seas. It is transferred from seafood or even exposure in an open wound if you're swimming in infectious water." Unearthing the zombie viruses Permafrost covers almost 15 percent of the northern hemisphere, a significant portion of which is concentrated in Siberia, Alaska and Greenland. As the name implies, permafrost is soil and rock that stays frozen for at least two consecutive years. It acts almost like a cold storage for history: mammoths, saber-toothed tigers and long extinct plants have been preserved, almost entirely intact. Some of what's stuck in frozen limbo isn't even dead – it's just dormant. Numerous 'zombie microbes' have been discovered in melting permafrost over the years, some after millennia. Researchers have raised fears that a new global medical emergency could be triggered – not by an illness new to science but by an ancient disease which modern human immunity is not equipped to deal with. The melting permafrost could also release old radioactive material and banned chemicals that had been dumped as waste. This was the case in 2016, when over 2000 reindeer were found dead in Siberia because of an anthrax outbreak. Melting permafrost thawed the carcass of a reindeer that had died decades ago and unleashed the dormant virus into the modern world. Dozens of people living nearby had to be hospitalized. This bizarre new threat may be another consequence of warming global temperatures, despite sounding like it's been pulled from the pages of a science fiction novel. But Kazmierczak says that the research is still in its nascent stages and permafrost exists in isolated regions with little habitation. Adapting to a new environment The changes in the geography of infectious disease, to a large extent, cannot be undone. Temperatures in Europe have already risen by over 2 degrees in the last decade alone, with no sign of it slowing down. But despite the warming climate, Kazmierczak is hopeful that Europe can adapt. 'National health infrastructures and awareness will be paramount in our adaptation. We already have examples from countries that have already dealt with these illnesses, and we can adapt them to Europe. 'We believe that a way to reduce our carbon footprint is also to bring nature into cities and homes – but hosting vectors, for example, is exactly the flipside that it can have. We need to make sure that we adapt with awareness.'
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- Health
- The Irish Sun
Urgent warning for Irish holidaymakers heading to European sunshine spot over ‘mosquito' virus
IRISH holidaymakers heading to a European sunshine spot this summer have been warned over new cases of a deadly "mosquito" virus. Health chiefs in France have reported 583 imported cases of chikungunya - a mosquito-borne disease that causes acute fever and joint pain, and there's no cure, but it can be fatal. Advertisement 4 The tiger mosquito arrived in southern Europe in the first decade of this century Credit: Alamy 4 It can cause fever and severe joint pain, as well as muscle pain, headache, nausea, fatigue and rash Credit: Getty 4 There are 583 cases reported in France as of June 18, 2025 Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk According to recent data published by Santé Publique France, international travellers are returning to mainland France infected with various mosquito-transmitted diseases. As of June 18, 2025, France reported 583 cases of chikungunya over the past six weeks. And another two unrelated indigenous local cases of chikungunya have also been identified in 2025. Chikungunya is a viral infection caused by the Advertisement Read more in Health The virus is transmitted from human to human by the bites of infected female mosquitoes. It can cause fever and severe joint pain, as well as muscle pain, headache, nausea, fatigue and rash. Serious complications are not common, but in older people it can contribute to the cause of death. The name of the disease means "to become contorted" in the Advertisement Most read in Health Most patients recover after a few days but in some cases, the joint pain may persist for weeks, months or even longer. The tiger mosquito, also known as Aedes albopictus, arrived in southern What are the signs and symptoms of dengue fever? These are tropical and subtropical mosquitoes found in the warmer parts of the world, especially Known for the black and white stripes along its body and legs, it can transmit several tropical diseases, including chikungunya, Advertisement CLIMATE CHANGE Health experts say the bug has thrived on the continent in part because of Warmer weather conditions have shortened the time it takes to develop, while winters are no longer cold enough to kill off the pests. SIGNS TO WATCH OUT FOR THE symptoms of chikungunya are similar to those of dengue and Zika, making chikungunya easy to misdiagnose. Here are eight symptoms to watch out for: Fever Severe joint pain Joint swelling Muscle pain Headache Nausea Fatigue Rash. Chikungunya disease onset is typically 4–8 days (range 2–12 days) after the bite of an infected mosquito. Most patients recover fully from the infection; however, occasional cases of eye, heart, and neurological complications have been reported. Patients at extremes of the age spectrum are at higher risk for severe disease, including newborns infected during delivery to infected mothers or bitten by infected mosquitoes in the weeks after birth. And older people with underlying medical conditions. Patients with severe disease require hospitalisation because of the risk of organ damage and death. Health chiefs in France also identified 395 imported cases of dengue fever, and 2 imported cases of Zika. Dengue fever can also cause severe muscle pain and joint pain in those infected. Advertisement About one in 10 of those infected will develop severe dengue, which can result in shock, internal bleeding, and even death. They said that the Aedes albopictus mosquito has been established in southern France since 2004 and has been gradually spreading since then. The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) said that chikungunya is a notifiable disease in Ireland. CHIKUNGUYA TREATMENT They added that the treatment for chikungunya involves pain relief and anti-fever medication. Advertisement There is currently no vaccine against the Chikungunya virus. And travellers to affected areas are advised to prevent mosquito bites. HPSC said: "People who have visited an area affected by chikungunya, and who develop a high fever along with unexplained joint pain in the 12 days after their return are advised to seek medical attention. "Travellers to affected areas are advised to prevent mosquito bites. Advertisement "Pregnant women, immunosuppressed people and people suffering from a severe chronic illness should consult their physicians prior to the travel in order to assess their risk and get recommendations on personal preventive measures." 4 There is currently no vaccine against the chikungunya virus Credit: Getty
The Star
24-06-2025
- Health
- The Star
Covid and dengue cases are climbing nationwide
KATHMANDU: With the onset of the monsoon season, health facilities across the country started reporting a surge in infectious diseases, including dengue and Covid. According to the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division, 180 people from 25 districts have tested positive for Covid since January. At least 25 people tested positive for the deadly virus in the past one week alone. The number of people testing positive for the virus in the last 24 hours stands at eight. Data provided by the division shows that all provinces except Karnali have reported Covid. Of the 26 people who tested positive for the deadly virus in the past one week, 18 are from Bagmati province, five from Sudurpaschim, and three are from Koshi province. 'Not only Covid, but also cases of dengue, diarrheal infections and food poisoning, among others, are on the rise,' said Dr Chandra Bhal Jha, director at the division. 'We have stepped up surveillance measures, alerted health agencies and warned the public about growing risks.' Nepal confirmed new coronavirus cases recently on June 4, when three people—two males and a female—who returned from India tested positive. However, people had been getting infected with the virus since the start of the year, as the virus had already become endemic in Nepal. Health officials say that rapid diagnostic testing is being carried out only on those having coronavirus-like symptoms—including fever, cough and sore throat. Testing is not being carried out on asymptomatic people who might be infected. Some might have come during the incubation period, but no agency in the country tracks their movements. Health workers say they have asked the infected people to remain in isolation for five days and let them go home from the border entry points. The Health Ministry officials also said they have started procedures to purchase rapid diagnostic test kits, which are in limited supply. India has reported a steady decline in the number of active cases recently. According to media reports, India's active caseload dropped to 5,012 on Sunday (June 22), down from 5,976 on Friday. Meanwhile, the division's data show that at least 1,541 people from 73 districts have tested positive for the dengue virus since January. The deadly virus has not yet been reported in four out of 21 mountainous districts—Rasuwa of Bagmati province, Manang of Gandaki province, and Humla and Dolpa of Karnali province. Bagmati has reported 371 cases of dengue infection, the highest number, followed by 299 cases in Koshi, 251 in Gandaki, 245 in Lumbini, 184 in Sudurpaschim, 32 in Karnali, and 21 cases in Madhesh province. Dengue is a viral disease transmitted by female Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. According to the World Health Organisation, the same vector also transmits chikungunya, yellow fever and the Zika virus. At least 15 people died, and 41,865 others were infected in 2024 as the virus spread to 76 districts. In 2023, 88 persons died and more than 54,000 were infected by the virus, which had spread to all 77 districts. At the time, hospitals in Kathmandu Valley were overwhelmed with dengue patients, and pharmacies had run out of paracetamol, the most widely used medicine to treat fever. Experts say reported cases may represent only a small fraction of the true scale of infection, as around 90 per cent of the infected people are asymptomatic, and many deaths and infections often go unreported. Many people infected with dengue show mild symptoms, which do not need any treatment or can be managed with paracetamol at home. Since dengue became endemic in Nepal years ago, meaning people get infected throughout the year, health officials no longer classify it as an outbreak of a deadly virus. Epidemiologists as well as virologists say that despite thousands of people getting infected and scores dying from the disease, authorities have failed to respond with proper measures. They believe that this lackadaisical approach is responsible for the spread. Apart from coronavirus, dengue and diarrheal diseases, infection of the mpox virus has also been reported of late. Health officials say that the health condition of the Saudi Arabia returnee migrant worker who tested positive for the disease is stable. 'We have carried out testing on the people who came in close contact with the infected person, including his wife,' said Jha. 'But reports of others are negative.' Monkeypox is a rare disease caused by infection with the monkeypox virus. Symptoms of mpox virus include fever, headache, swelling, body pains, exhaustion and itchy rashes on the face, hands and feet. As the disease primarily spreads through close person-to-person contact, public health experts recommend self-isolation and good hygiene to avoid it. - The Kathmandu Post/ANN
DW
20-06-2025
- Science
- DW
How dangerous are invasive insects in Europe? – DW – 06/20/2025
Invasive insects like the tiger mosquito and the Asian hornet are becoming increasingly common across Europe, with devastating consequences for human health, agriculture and the environment. As winters become milder due to climate change, insects normally found only in the tropics are starting to feel more at home across Europe. And the speed of travel and global trade is making it easier than ever for them to make the trip — in imported wood, potted plants or simply as stowaways. But these exotic newcomers aren't exactly welcome. Experts with the European Environment Agency told DW that invasive alien species, including insects, are a "major threat to native plants and animals in Europe and are one of the five major causes of biodiversity loss." Though tiny, these pests compete with native species for resources and destabilize fragile ecosystems already dealing with pollution, overexploitation and the effects of a warming planet. They're also a serious problem for humans, spreading disease, destroying crops and costing the EU an estimated €12 billion ($13.8 billion) per year in recovery and eradication expenses. Here are just a few of the greatest invasive insects threatening Europe. Active during the day, and partial to urban areas, the Asian tiger mosquito is a particular menace to humans Image: BSIP/picture alliance Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) The tiger mosquito, named for its distinctive white stripes, is native to the tropical and subtropical forests of Southeast Asia and was first spotted in Albania in 1979. It made its way over to Italy and France in the 1990s, and is now well-established across the Balkans, southern Ukraine, southwestern Russia and much of the Mediterranean region. But with its tough eggs and a new tolerance for cooler weather, it has also been spotted in Belgium, Germany and as far north as Sweden in recent years. The tiger mosquito thrives in urban environments, reproducing in standing water in places like flowerpots or gutters. This adaptability — along with a tendency to be active during the day — has made humans an easy target for the insect, which can feed on blood several times a day. Aside from being an itchy nuisance, those bites can transmit contagious human diseases like dengue, chikungunya, West Nile and Zika viruses. Fighting dengue, Indonesia breeds bacteria-tainted mosquito To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Asian hornet (Vespa velutina nigrithorax) This stinging menace, originally from eastern Asia, first arrived in France in 2004. Also known as a yellow-legged hornet, it's slightly smaller than the native European variety, has an overall darker coloring and is active during the day. It has since spread to more than a dozen European countries, including Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Italy, Germany and the UK. It's not to be confused with the giant Asian hornet, also known as the "murder hornet" for its dangerous sting. Asian hornets are slightly smaller than the native European hornet, and have an overall darker coloring Image: Axel Heimken/dpa/picture alliance Though being stung by the Asian hornet can be quite painful for humans, the greater risk is to food security and biodiversity, according to agricultural nonprofit CABI. The species preys on hundreds of crucial pollinators such as bumblebees, butterflies and flies. But its main target is the European honeybee, which pollinates more than 80% of Europe's crops and wild plants. A study published in the journal Science Of The Total Environment in March 2025 found that the hornet can kill up to 50 bees a day. The Asian hornet is one of 88 species on the EU's list of Invasive Alien Species of Union concern , which requires member states to prevent the spread of the insect and eradicate it wherever possible. The tropical fire ant, native to Central and South America, first showed up in Europe in the late 19th century Image: PantherMedia/picture alliance American ants (Solenopsis geminata, Solenopsis invicta, Solenopsis richteri, Wasmannia auropunctata) Also on the EU's most wanted list are four species of foreign ants: the tropical fire ant, the red imported fire ant, the black imported fire ant and the little fire ant. These tiny invaders were accidentally introduced from Central and South America, with the tropical fire ant first showing up in Europe as far back as the 1860s. With its painful sting which can cause an allergic reaction, these species rapidly displace other native ant populations and disrupt ecosystems and agriculture with aggressive feeding habits. What happens when ants invade? To play this audio please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 audio A 2023 study at the Institute of Evolutionary Biology in Barcelona found that 7% of the European continent was a suitable habitat for the ant, and that's likely to grow as climate change increases their habitable range. Half of Europe's cities were already vulnerable to invasion — bad news, as these ants can also damage electrical equipment by chewing through wiring and causing short circuits. Brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) This extremely invasive pest from Asia is now widespread in France, Italy and Switzerland, but present across most of the continent. They are especially attracted to fruit, nuts and grapevines, but are just as happy munching on vegetables and other crops, like soy. In Italy, the stink bug caused an estimated €588 million in damage to fruit crops in 2019 alone. If collected and crushed along with fruit crops like grapes, the foul-smelling bugs can affect the taste and odor of the fruit or wine Image: ROLAND SCHLAGER/APA/ alliance Farmers have traditionally fought back with insecticides, but researchers are also considering a more environmentally friendly method — pitting the stink bug against its natural enemy. The Samurai wasp (Trissolcus japonicus), another accidental introduction from Asia, is a parasite that lays its eggs inside the eggs of the brown marmorated stink bug. The wasp larvae feed on the stink bug egg, eventually killing it. Some researchers have cautioned that relying on another foreign insect to handle the problem might end up causing more ecological disruption. But a 2023 study led by CABI found that the wasp appeared to have little impact on most native insect populations. Should we kill invasive species to protect the environment? To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Asian longhorned beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis) Listed among the 100 world's worst invasive alien species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, this beetle is a major threat to deciduous trees and shrubs. Adults feed on leaves, stems and twigs while larvae burrow into the trunk, slowly killing a tree within a few years. Urban trees, which help to cool cities, are especially vulnerable due to their proximity to ports; in the eastern US, where the beetle arrived in the 1990s, up to 35% of the trees in cities are at risk. Asian longhorned beetles attack healthy and distressed trees alike Image: Heiko Kueverling/Zoonar/picture alliance The insects are often introduced in wood packaging, and have been found in France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland and Poland. But their populations are not yet widely established, and some eradication campaigns have been successful. Europe will have to learn to live with invasive species "Invasive alien insects often appear more difficult to manage than invasive plants or larger animals: they are small, mobile, reproduce rapidly, have short life cycle and often go unnoticed until the damage is done," said the EEA. While it's nearly impossible to completely eradicate an invasive insect species, the damage can be mitigated. Asian hornets have been kept at bay in some areas with special traps and by removing their nests, while researchers in Italy have recently used drones and artificial intelligence to detect and monitor stink bugs. Other methods involve stopping the insect at the source, for example by treating wooden packing with heat before shipping to kill the longhorned beetle. In some cases, it's as simple as clearing any standing water from your balcony or backyard, to stop the spread of mosquitoes. But the experts stressed that insects weren't necessarily any worse than other invasive plants and animals, noting that "each group — and each invasion case — comes with its own biological and ecological complexities." Edited by: Tamsin Walker
