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Extra.ie
9 hours ago
- Extra.ie
Mozzies, lovebugs, and other nasties waiting in holiday hotspots this summer
Most people who have been to the continent or further afield on holiday will have been bitten by some kind of bug and spent many an evening scratching, taking antihistamines, and rubbing in creams or gels to try to stop the maddening itch. The summertime is dreaded by many of us for that very reason, but 2025, for some reason, seems to be worse than recent years, with reports of swarms of nasties descending on holiday hotspots to feast on unsuspecting tourists. If you are heading to Spain, France, Italy or Portugal, be aware the mosquitoes are out in force, arriving to your outdoor dining experience as the sun sets, and catching innocent holiday makers on their softest spots, like the backs of the knees, the neck and soft Irish skin that is not normally exposed to the fresh air and sunshine. A stock image of mosquitoes. Pic: Shutterstock They are prevalent in warm, humid environments, especially near water. In some destinations like Africa and Asia, mosquitoes can transmit diseases like Malaria, Dengue fever, and the Zika virus. However, they are not too difficult to deal with in Europe. Make sure your windows and doors are equipped with mosquito blinds and nets. Citronella candles are another handy deterrent, as the little creatures don't like the lemony smell, and another way to keep the number of mozzies down is to install bat boxes around your garden. A bat can typically eat up to 3,000 of these little beasties in one evenings dining, and with bat populations under threat worldwide, the little mammals get fed and the chances of your holiday being ruined by mozzie bites are greatly reduced by hanging up a bat box or two, and you can feel like you've done something good for the environment. A stock image of mosquitoes. Pic: Shutterstock However, if you are heading further afield, like Asia, then beware the 'Lovebugs'. They sound all cuddly and warm, but there's currently a plague of these little flying insects tormenting the residents of South Korea and further afield. They swarm like locusts, and pictures are emerging on social media of hikers in the mountains in South Korea absolutely covered in the bugs. They don't bite or cause disease, but they have caused quite a stir, blanketing mountain peaks, swarming into homes and offices, and covering car windscreens in a squirming, fluttering sheet of insects. They fly in twos, attached to one another while mating, hence the name Lovebugs, and they have also been nicknamed The Honeymoon Flies. Lovebugs found in Seoul, Korea in 2024. Pic: Yonhap/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock South Korean officials see the lovebugs as beneficial insects, saying they help pollinate flowers, but many other experts say the arrival of the bugs in such large numbers, most likely from China, is linked to hotter and wetter climate conditions, linked to climate change. Other, more obvious little critters to watch out for in sunnier climes are wasps and hornets, bees and fire ants, all of these can inflict painful stings and cause a lot of pain, especially in people who may have a sensitivity to these small bites or stings. The French Pyrenees. Pic: Shutterstock Best advice if you're heading to a warmer climate, especially if you're planning on doing a lot of hiking or mountain walking, is to go prepared for all sorts of bugs, wear light, loose fitting clothes, long sleeves, long trousers, use insect repellant, and be very mindful of still water in ponds or lakes, and remember dusk is peak time for the little critters to be about.
The Independent
11 hours ago
- Health
- The Independent
Could dengue spread in the UK? Experts fear climate change could bring tropical diseases to Europe
As Europe swelters in extreme heat, experts fear that rising temperatures caused by climate change could push tropical infectious diseases such as Dengue and West Nile Virus into the UK. Researchers estimate that chikungunya and dengue outbreaks could increase five-fold by 2060 under worst-case climate scenarios, according to a report in the Lancet Planetary Health journal. It comes as Europe faces severe heatwaves and wildfires that scientists have attributed to human-induced climate change. There are growing fears that infections could be pushed northwards into Europe, as pathogens thrive in hot and humid conditions. As well as heatwaves, rising greenhouse emissions have forced the world to adapt to floods, droughts and extreme cold. Migration of mosquitos to Europe Changing climate conditions are making Europe more susceptible to both 'vector' and water borne diseases, according to experts. A vector refers to a living organism that can transmit infections from animals to humans or between humans - such as a mosquito. 'Warmer temperatures and altered rainfall patterns caused by climate change mean that certain species of mosquitoes and ticks can now survive in Europe,' Cambridge Professor of Viral Immunology Michael Weekes told The Independent. Dengue, carried by Asian tiger mosquitos, is now one of the fastest growing infectious diseases in Europe. Globalisation and increased travel has brought a slight increase in travellers bringing the infection to Europe, figures show. A total of 304 cases of Dengue were reported in 2024, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. This is a large jump from the cumulative total of 275 cases reported over the last 15 years, which scientists believe could point to the disease becoming endemic in Europe. 'Asian tiger mosquitos are now found in Croatia, France, Germany, Portugal and Spain – and can transmit Dengue, chikungunya and Zika viruses,' Prof Weekes added. 'Whereas these generally cause mild infection, Dengue can sometimes cause fever with severe bleeding, and Zika can be transmitted to unborn children.' Flooding and extended periods of rain also disrupt water treatment and distribution processes, scientists fear. A UK government report warned this could cause bacterial blooms and the spread of antibiotic resistant genes. These factors combined mean the disease season is now also longer, with ticks active all year round in some places. Controlling the spread While infectious diseases are rapidly adapting in a shifting climate, Prof Weekes said that Europe can still take measures to accommodate the changes. 'We must reduce greenhouse gas emissions to limit how bad this gets,' Prof Weekes said. 'We also need better surveillance, better control of mosquitos and tick populations, increased vaccination for diseases such as tick-borne encephalitis, and education about avoiding insect bites. The Asian tiger mosquito bites during the day unlike many mosquitos that bite in the evening and at night.' A report released by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) in 2023 also suggested that more research needs to be conducted to obtain better evidence to measure the impact of climate change on infectious disease risk. It called for strong collaboration between national and international public health agencies, cross-governmental agencies, care providers, such as the NHS and farmers, food manufacturers and the public .
GMA Network
2 days ago
- Health
- GMA Network
FDA: Dengue, ASF vaccines still pending approval
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said Tuesday they are still processing the approval of vaccines intended to counter Dengue and African Swine Fever. During an ambush interview on Tuesday, FDA Director General Paolo Teston said they are still waiting for several required documents for post-approval from the applicants of the ASF vaccine. 'Nag-uundergo po siya ng post-approval commitment compliance po ng naaprubahan po na una ng FDA. Marami pa pong submission requirements po… Ang FDA naman po ay patuloy na naghihintay sa submissions, sa pagsusumite ng nabigyan po ng monitored release ng certificate of product registration (CPR),' he shared. (It is undergoing post-approval commitment compliance when it was initially approved by the FDA. There are still a lot of submission requirements… The FDA continues to wait for submissions for those granted with monitored release of the CPR.) Teston said that compliance with the needed submissions may be enough for a CPR, but that applicants would still need to comply with post-approval commitments. He added the ASF vaccine is undergoing scrutiny from the FDA's fact-finding committee. 'Sana po pwede ko sabihin na yesterday yung timeline namin [ng approval], pero ang FDA po talaga ang concern niya is health and safety ng mga produkto. We cannot compromise po yung safety ng produkto na gagamitin sa ating livestock, particularly sa mga baboy po, para lang po mapabilis yung proseso,' he said. (I hope I could say that our timeline [of approval] was yesterday, but the FDA's concern is the health and safety of these products. We cannot compromise the safety of the product that will be used on our livestock, particularly on pigs, just to speed up the process.) Teston said should applicants be able to properly submit all necessary documents, the vaccine should be approved within the year. 'Kailangan lang din po namin sagutin yung ibang issue kasama yung pre-approval na natanong po nung nagkaroon po ng inquiry sa Congress about dito sa ASF vaccine,' he said. (We just have to address the other issues, including the pre-approval that had been raised during a Congress inquiry about the ASF vaccine.) Meanwhile, Teston shared that TAC-003 or QDenga vaccine against dengue is now being assessed by an FDA expert panel. The QDenga vaccine is an live-attenuated vaccine with an 80% first year post-vaccination efficacy against Virologically Confirmed Dengue (VCD) fever, recommended for prevention of the disease in people who had never been infected and had already been approved in more than 40 countries with over 10 million doses distributed nationwide. 'Ito ay sumasailalim sa pagsusuri ng expert panel both po ng FDA at pati expert panel ng external ng FDA,' he said. (This is undergoing an investigation from the FDA's expert and external expert panels.) 'Independent po kasi yung expert panel ng FDA dahil sila po yung nakakaalam, sila po yung nag-aassure ng quality and safety and efficacy ng produkto, lalo na pag bago yung produkto,' Teston added. (The FDA expert panel is independent because they are the ones whom understand, and they are the ones that assure the quality and safety and efficacy of the product, especially if the product is new.) The FDA notes that approvals of the vaccine undergo a whole of government approach and acknowledged the urgent need of both vaccines to combat the spread of Dengue and ASF in the country. 'Ina-acknowledge po naman natin yung need for the vaccine and relatively po, fina-facilitate po siya ng FDA as long as there are no standards violated and the safety of the Filipinos who will be inoculated with the vaccine will be assured… Sana pwede ko din sabihin na yesterday yung lead time [sa release ng bakuna], pero sa lalong madaling panahon po sana [ma-approve na],' Teston said. (We are acknowledging the need for the vaccine and relatively, the FDA is facilitating it as long as there are no standards violated and the safety of the Filipinos who will be inoculated with the vaccine will be assured… I hope I can also say that the lead time [fpr the release of the vaccine] was yesterday, but I hope it [gets approved] as soon as possible.) —RF, GMA Integrated News
Time of India
2 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Venomous noble false widow spider confirmed established in New Zealand
Venomous noble false widow spider now present across New Zealand The noble false widow spider ( Steatoda nobilis ), one of the world's most invasive arachnids, has officially established itself in New Zealand. First confirmed in Porirua in November 2024, the species has since been recorded in Christchurch, Nelson, Northland, and Waikato, indicating widespread urban colonization. The spider, originally native to the Canary Islands and Madeira, has previously spread to Europe and both North and South America. According to experts, it now appears to thrive in New Zealand's urban environments. It is commonly found in gardens, around outdoor furniture, and particularly beneath plant pots, tarpaulin, and in fence crevices. Males are typically observed at night on exterior walls or at ground level. Also read: Health emergency: Dengue fever outbreak declared in Rarotonga, New Zealand Professor Steven Trewick, an evolutionary ecologist at Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University, led the confirmation effort. He compared physical features of collected specimens and conducted DNA analysis on a sample obtained in Porirua by Gavin Picknell. Live Events 'Although considered less dangerous than black widows, the venom of Steatoda nobilis contains similar toxins,' said Trewick. 'Particularly concerning is its association with antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Infections resulting from bites don't always respond to treatment, and that's a significant medical concern.' Medical risks linked to noble false widow spider bites The noble false widow spider is venomous but not generally considered aggressive. Bites typically occur in self-defense and may cause localized symptoms including redness, swelling, and pain. However, more serious medical effects have been documented in some cases. A spokesperson from Massey University reported that some bite incidents have resulted in tissue necrosis, nausea, hypotension, impaired mobility, and secondary bacterial infections. Notably, some of these infections may be resistant to standard antibiotics, raising concerns within the medical community. Also read: China facing new Covid-like pandemic? Here's everything we know about it so far The spider's venom contains neurotoxins similar to those found in black widow species, although typically less potent. Nonetheless, its presence in populated regions and proximity to human activity has prompted health and ecological monitoring. Citizen reports aid research into Steatoda nobilis spread Researchers encourage the public to participate in tracking the spread of Steatoda nobilis through the iNaturalist NZ platform. Suspected sightings can be uploaded with photos, enabling scientists to better understand the range and behavior of this invasive, venomous spider . Ongoing monitoring will help assess the long-term ecological and public health implications of the noble false widow spider's establishment in New Zealand.
Irish Examiner
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Colin Sheridan: A break away with the lads proved just the tonic
'Cast a cold Eye On Life, on Death. Horseman, pass by' — epitaph on the grave of WB Yeats, Drumcliff, Co Sligo The best ideas often happen by accident. A little over a year ago, a good friend of mine, who plays much more golf than I, suggested we go on a tour. Start small. Just four lads. None of this fancy Portugal nonsense, think the Donegal Riviera with a stop off in Sligo on the way home. A few hours drive up on a Friday, head back south on Sunday. Three rounds. A few pints. A couple of late night kebabs. No need to remortgage the house or get a series of inoculations for Dengue fever. One weekend. Nobody'd even know we were gone. Of course, the plan didn't survive first contact. Its architect was the first faller due to a scheduling conflict. With the programme in full swing (pardon the pun), it was too late for dates to be changed. Closer to launch, a second member of the party had to withdraw for some very legitimate personal reasons. Four had become two, and as much fun as that sounded, the surviving pair figured it best to broaden the church, as it were, lest we set tongues wagging. Bringing the craic By the time we set sail on a horribly wet June morning last summer, we had recruited an eclectic bunch from a variety of backgrounds. We could never have been mistaken for a boyband, but the craic was rich and varied, and anybody eavesdropping would've been at the very least highly entertained. As for myself, it was a formative experience. Watching Mayo exit the Gaelic Football championship surrounded by Galway men in a bar in Donegal Town after shooting 90 around Murvagh is character building in ways you can't imagine. Everybody, from the local press to the Donegal Chamber of Commerce, deemed last summer's trip a success — so much so that a resolution was passed that it should become an annual event, so long as nobody died in the meantime. It was even agreed that, should one of us sadly pass on, the trip should go ahead anyway. That caveat almost became a reality when two weekends ago, the original architect — back on track and ready to right the wrongs of his absence last year — ate raw broad beans while preparing dinner for his family. Just cracked a couple of those green bastards open and popped 'em, absolutely certain all he was doing was good for his body. Note to readers; consumption of raw broad beans can cause phytohaemagglutinin poisoning. I don't know what phytohaemagglutinin means, but I don't need to, because I absolutely know what 'poiosning' means. Under normal circumstances he might have died, but, given the humiliation that awaited him at his funeral had he fatally surrendered to his violent illness, he willed himself to recovery. At least two of the group — his older brother, and oldest friend — had relayed in no uncertain terms that should his burial coincide with the already arranged tee-time in Strandhill, they would be going golfing. And so we set off. A sociologist, a sparky, a gym owner, a writer, an entrepreneur, two entrepreneurs, an IT guy, a solicitor, an ex-banker, an ESB guy, a retired English teacher. All dads and a couple of granddads. Not exactly a group that would worry the local constabulary, but, given it was Donegal we were headed to, that was never going to be an issue as they seem to live according to a different set of rules to the rest of us anyway. How times have changed I was never a guy for lads holidays when I was younger, and I absolutely do not regret that. A career in the military meant there was enough toxic masculinity going around for the other 50 weeks of the year, so that the last place I wanted to spend the other two was knee deep in Joop, sweat, and vomit in an apartment complex in Magaluf. But, the age and stage I'm at now, I appreciate the company of close friends — and their close friends — in ways I couldn't have thought possible. Three of our group grew up together in South Africa, and, for a time, Gabon. Listening to their experiences of childhood, of education, of apartheid, their appreciation of their own history and genuine fascination with ours, was humbling. Golf courses too, especially links golf courses, are the perfect setting for such conversations to slowly evolve and unravel. If you wanted to think deep and be silent, you could. All you had to do was look west to the ocean to realise the insignificance of your taunting hangover. When that perspective became too overwhelming, the group was waiting to ground you again with a quip. We stopped at Yeats' grave on Sunday in Drumcliff, fulfilling a promise we had made when our moods were a little lighter two days before. It seemed a strange thing to do, to stand in the rain around a modest headstone; but somehow in the silence, something about the moment, the journey, the uncertainty of the destination, suddenly made sense. 'Cast a cold Eye On Life, on Death. Horseman, pass by' It was all there in those 11 words. The transience of our existence. The fickleness of our humanity. The tenuousness of human connection. It hung in the air like a seven iron battling the wind, and, at the risk of ridicule, I swear I felt the great poet linger alongside me. We left just as the Japanese tourists arrived. I think they expected a great mausoleum. What they discovered was a few vulnerable men gathered around a stone, each contemplating the meaning of life. I shot 78 on Sunday. Read More Colin Sheridan: The Lions as a modern concept is utterly idiotic
