Mosquitoes and ticks living in our region are more and more often carriers of pathogens causing dangerous infectious diseases, such as dengue fever and West Nile fever. The cases of disease are detected, among others in Germany. Is the mass migration of these insects to Europe a big threat to us? This and many other questions are answered by epidemiologist Dr. Maylin Meincke.
- One of the most dangerous carriers of tropical disease, according to Dr. Meincke, is the Asian tiger mosquito
- Unlike the common mosquito we “know”, it attacks not only in the evenings and at night, but also during the day
- «The tiger mosquito (…) is very aggressive and attacks people in a targeted manner. Many are allergic to bites. (…) some people can not even go to the garden in peace without the risk of being bitten »- says the expert
- Mosquitoes and ticks can carry viruses that the WHO considers capable of causing a new pandemic
- More information can be found on the Onet homepage
Author: Wiebke Bolle / The World
Wiebke Bolle, The World: Does climate change make us sick more and more often?
Maylin Meincke: In addition to the direct health effects from heat and other extreme weather events, climate change is also modifying our environment. For example, milder winters, hotter summers and less or more rainfall cause allergenic plants to bloom faster and longer, which is detrimental to allergy sufferers. New vectors of diseases such as tropical ticks and mosquitoes can also settle here. The Asian tiger mosquito has been present in southwestern Germany for several years, but its populations have also appeared in Frankfurt, Jena, and recently also in the Berlin allotment garden. This insect has the potential to transmit tropical diseases.
What are these diseases?
The tiger mosquito can transmit dengue as well as [viruses – ed.] Zika and Chikungunya. To do this, he has to bite the infected person and absorb their blood. If the viruses have multiplied in the insect’s body, they can be transferred to another person by another bite. So far, none of these viruses have been detected in the Asian tiger mosquito in Germany. Until now, cases of dengue, chikungunia and zika have only occurred in Germans who contracted the infection while traveling to one of the tropical countries, such as Thailand.
In France, cases of dengue fever have already been reported locally. Will it also reach Germany soon?
The risk is still very low. In theory, dengue transmissions may occur in regions where the Asian tiger mosquito has become established during mosquito season and warmer periods. However, there are still not as many mosquitoes here as in southern France. This changes, of course, as it spreads further. With more mosquitoes, you are more likely to bite an infected traveler and thus spread the virus to other people. Then the Dengue and Zika viruses can certainly be transmitted locally. This does not mean huge epidemics, as in Singapore or other Asian or African countries, but locally [it is possible – ed] an accumulation of viral infections.
The rest of the text below the video.
The tiger mosquito is also a carrier of the West Nile virus. The Robert Koch Institute has already informed about the first cases of infections.
While the Asian tiger mosquito has the potential to transmit the West Nile virus, the West Nile fever that is diagnosed in Germany is less relevant. The main carrier of this virus is the common mosquito from our country Culex pipiens. However, the primary host of these insects are birds, among which the West Nile virus is already circulating. Infections among mosquitoes and birds have been detected in Central and Eastern Germany, namely Berlin, Brandenburg, Saxony-Anhalt and Saxony.
West Nile virus infections have also been observed in humans in recent years; this happened in late summer, after being bitten by infected mosquitoes. The number of unreported infections is likely high as not all develop West Nile fever. Only a minority of those infected get sick. It is assumed that in the future the virus will also spread to other parts of Germany.
Horses can also be infected. Should riders fear contamination
Like humans, horses are so-called ultimate hosts. dead-end host – ed.). This means that if one of them becomes infected with the West Nile virus, it will stay with it and will not be transmitted. One can become infected only by donating blood to another person, therefore the analyzed samples for the presence of this pathogen come from blood banks and are tested mainly in the summer months. The virus mostly circulates between native birds and common mosquitoes, while humans become infected primarily after being bitten by an infected mosquito.
The tiger mosquito buzzes in southern Germany, especially in Baden-Württemberg. Should people living there be particularly protected against this insect?
Not yet. The risk is still low. Isolated larger populations already exist, for example in the regions around Stuttgart or along the Rhine plain. Now we have to make sure that these mosquitoes do not spread.
These insects are extremely annoying. German mosquitoes [common – ed.] Are more active in the evening and in the morning. The tiger mosquito bites also during the day, is very aggressive and attacks people in a targeted manner. Many are allergic to bites. In particularly affected areas, some people can no longer even go out peacefully into the garden without being stung. Avoiding potential breeding grounds for the Asian tiger mosquito, such as small ponds or flower stands, is very important to prevent its spread.
Many are afraid of malaria. Until now, it was too cold in Germany for mosquitoes that transmit this disease. Are there regions where this has changed?
We need to distinguish mosquitoes from the malaria you mean. Tropical malaria tropica mosquitoes, which can lead to death, are unlikely to ever establish themselves in Germany. It will always be too cold for this species of mosquito.
But tertiana malaria, which was once found in Germany as well, can be transmitted by a German-born mosquito Anopheles plumbeus. As with dengue or the Zika virus, the mosquito must bite a traveler infected with malaria before local outbreaks can occur. In addition, it must be warm enough for the pathogen causing the disease to develop in the mosquito before it can be passed on to humans. There probably won’t be any major malaria outbreaks here.
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So there is no risk of a malaria epidemic?
For vector-borne diseases such as malaria, several climatic factors must be present. Mosquitoes need to be comfortable and also be able to reproduce. First of all, they have to survive the German winter. It’s just too cold for many species. The milder the climate, the fewer mosquitoes die. The Asian tiger mosquito especially benefits from this. Its eggs can hibernate and then continue to reproduce in the spring. Depending on summer temperatures, several generations of a tiger mosquito may appear during the year and existing populations may increase.
However, temperature also affects pathogens that can be transmitted by mosquitoes. Malaria pathogens, but also arboviruses such as Chikungunya virus need a certain minimum temperature for the mosquito to develop and multiply. Only then can the mosquito even transmit it. In Freiburg, for example, in recent years there have been enough warm days that theoretically allow the Chikungunya virus to reproduce sufficiently in the Asian tiger mosquito.
Is global warming also affecting ticks?
Climate change is increasingly enabling the migration of new species of ticks to Germany. They also transmit tropical infectious diseases. There are also household ticks that carry them. Tick Ixodes ricinus carries Lyme disease and tick-borne encephalitis (TBE), a form of meningitis. TBE is especially common in the south.
Due to rising temperatures, ticks that carry the virus can also be found more and more often in the north. In addition, the active phases of ticks extend due to the mild winter months. Already in spring you can bite walkers or children playing in the garden. This increases the risk of infection. Vaccination in risky areas is recommended. You should also check your body regularly for ticks.
Besides the spread of mosquitoes and ticks, are there other health risks associated with warmer water?
Yes. As it gets warmer, the water quality can also change. Cyanobacteria occur in German lakes. Their toxins can irritate the skin and mucous membranes, but also vomit and diarrhea. The comma of cholera is multiplying in the Baltic Sea. They mainly cause infections from wounds. People with a weakened immune system and certain diseases should avoid swimming in these waters in the summer. They are exposed to a more severe course of possible infection.
* Dr Maylin Meincke she is a member and former president of the German Alliance for Climate Change and Health. Advises WHO on issues related to infectious diseases. He is also a researcher at the Ministry of Health of Baden-Württemberg.
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