DEAD tiger mosquitoes have been found in two Spanish hotspots in an urgent holiday warning for Brits abroad.
Those heading to the sunny Balearic Islands should know how to detect the dengue-carrying virus.
5
5
Tiger mosquitoes, native to Southeast Asia, appear to have spread across Mallorca and Menorca.
Authorities on both islands have taken preventative measures to stop the pests from spreading further, including spraying insecticide from helicopters.
The tiger mosquito, scientifically known as Aedes albopictus, is a small, dark mosquito with distinct white spots on its legs and a white stripe down the center of its back.
This mosquito is also commonly known as the Asian tiger mosquito due to its origin and striped appearance.
Smaller than many other mosquito species, the tiger mosquito is an aggressive biter during the day, with peak periods of activity in the early morning and late afternoon.
It has spread to many parts of the world, including the Americas, Europe and Africa.
Tourists must now be extremely vigilant against being bitten by this series of killer diseases, which include dengue fever, Zika virus, Chikungunya, yellow fever and various encephalitis viruses.
The bite itself hurts more than that of a European mosquito, as it can result in significant swelling, scarring, and occasionally an infection that requires medical attention.
The tiger mosquito’s ability to adapt to different environments and its aggressive biting behavior make it a significant public health problem.
Control measures focus on reducing breeding sites and protecting individuals against bites through the use of repellents, appropriate clothing and environmental management to eliminate standing water.
5
5
The City Council of Ciutadella, in Menorca, advised the public on Thursday to clean, empty, dry and renew the water in all containers in the area, including pet drinking fountains or swimming pools.
“The risk is very present in the Balearics and we must consider it very seriously”, stated the local authority.
If you spot a tiger mosquito, it’s important to keep in mind that there is likely a breeding ground nearby, as its flight range is only around 150 meters.
This week, 600 new cases were reported in France as the scourge of the Asian tiger mosquito continues to spread across Europe, according to the Mirror.
Organ damage and internal bleeding can result from severe dengue infection.
Shock can result from a dangerous drop in blood pressure, and severe dengue fever can be fatal in certain circumstances.
Pregnant women need to be on high alert as contracting dengue can transmit the virus to the fetus during birth.
Experts have warned that dengue is spreading rapidly across Europe and is already present in Great Britain.
They also warn that there are already mosquitoes in the UK that can spread the fatal infection, reports the Mirror.
What is dengue?
DENGUE is a mosquito-borne viral infection caused by the dengue virus.
It is transmitted mainly by Aedes mosquitoes, mainly Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus.
The disease is prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions around the world.
Symptoms include high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, joint and muscle pain, rash, and light bleeding (such as nosebleeds, bleeding gums, or easy bruising).
In some cases, dengue can progress to severe dengue, which is a more serious form and can be fatal.
Dengue is diagnosed through clinical symptoms and confirmed by laboratory tests, such as blood tests to detect the virus or antibodies.
There is no specific antiviral treatment for dengue. Management focuses on relieving symptoms.
Patients are advised to rest, stay hydrated and use pain relievers such as paracetamol.
Severe dengue requires careful management and hospitalization to treat complications such as dehydration and bleeding.
The most effective way to prevent dengue is to control mosquito populations and avoid mosquito bites.
This includes using mosquito repellents, wearing protective clothing, and eliminating standing water where mosquitoes breed.
A vaccine called Dengvaxia is available in some countries, but its use is limited to certain age groups and geographic locations due to safety concerns.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
