Europe health fears sparked as ‘alien’ mosquitos from East Asia taking over Italy

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A species of mosquito native to East Asia is slowly expanding taking over regions in the southwest of Italy. Scientists have warned that the mosquitos could serve as a vector for viruses.

Within the scientific journal Parasites & Vectors, an article claimed to have evidence that the mosquitos had been expanding towards the southwest of the country.

The mosquito season in Italy generally lasts from spring until late autumn, depending on how mild temperatures are.

However, according to a recent study by the University of Milan, these species are unafraid of colder temperatures.

They revealed that this “alien species” is able to “tolerate low temperatures and prefers mountain regions”.

The University of Milan researchers undertook studies in the summer of 2020, on new invasive mosquitoes in northern Italy.

The researchers detail that they had uncovered 6,000 mosquito larvae in Bergamo – the plains and foothills of Italy’s Lombardy region.

From this number, they discovered that 50 belonged to Aedes koreicus.

The study argued that this discovery “confirms the spread of this species in the north of Italy and raises concerns about its possible role as a vector of diseases in the Alpine area.”

According to the article released last week, the concerning mosquitos, known as Aedes koreicus, were detected in the north in 2011.

The researchers explain that the species is “rapidly increasing towards southern and western Italy, from the original infested area in the district of Belluno”.

They cite that this could be a result of the presence of dense road connections and suitable habitats in other areas.

They added: “The distribution area of Ae. koreicus is indeed widening, under the influence of global warming and the heavier international trade and travels in Europe.”

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They also note that the species has been discovered in other European countries too.

It reads: “This species is native to East Asia (Japan, Korea, China and Russia) and was reported in Europe for the first time in Belgium in 2008, in the industrial zone of Maasmechelen.

“Subsequently, individuals from this species have been repeatedly collected, starting from 2011 in Belluno and in the northeast mountainous region of Italy, and then in 2012 and 2013 at the Swiss-Italian border (Chiasso and Como), in 2013 in a village in northeastern Slovenia, in 2015 in southern Germany and Genoa (Italy), in 2016 in central Germany and Pécs (Hungary), and in 2018 in East Tyrol in Austria.”

It then goes on to detail that the species “is likely expanding in Lombardy, especially in mountain areas”.

The article then concludes that there is an “urgent need for coordinated efforts for the monitoring of invasive mosquitoes in Italy, to prevent the spread of vectors of emerging pathogens”.

The term “alien species” refers to species that are “introduced, accidentally or intentionally, outside of their natural geographic range”, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

This introduction of animals and plants outside their natural habitat is a phenomenon on the rise due to changes in climate and the movement of goods and people.

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