Proposal requested for animal feed protection directive in animal welfare commission's remit
The Asian Tiger Mosquito, a known carrier of the Chikungunya virus, has been detected in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, leading to increasing concerns about the potential spread of the disease. This mosquito species, which was first spotted in Freiburg im Breisgau and Heidelberg in 2015, is expanding its range due to factors such as global trade, tourism, and climate change.
The Chikungunya virus, first described during an outbreak in Tanzania in 1952, causes symptoms such as fever, headache, and joint pain. While it is more dangerous for chronically ill people, the elderly, pregnant women, and newborns, most infected individuals recover fully, often within a week. However, severe joint pain can persist for months.
The expansion of the Asian Tiger Mosquito in Baden-Württemberg creates the ecological and epidemiological conditions necessary for the emergence and transmission of the Chikungunya virus locally. This trend is expected to continue and possibly intensify due to ongoing climate change and the mosquito's expanding range in Europe.
Recent cases near the German border in Alsace, France, have highlighted the cross-border risk to Baden-Württemberg. To prevent mosquito breeding, it is crucial to eliminate potential breeding sites, such as standing water in watering cans, birdbaths, coasters, balcony plants, rain gutters, rain barrels, and kiddie pools.
While the risk of infection with the Chikungunya virus remains low, the further spread of the Asian Tiger Mosquito makes transmissions increasingly likely. To check if one lives in a mosquito hotspot, one can use maps of the Mosquito Atlas of the Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF) and the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI).
For those traveling to affected regions, it is advisable to protect themselves from mosquitoes using DEET- or ICH3-containing sprays, mosquito nets, protective screens on windows, long-sleeved, wide, and light clothing, and fans at night. Vaccines like Ixchiq, which was approved in Germany last year, and Vimkunya, approved in February 2025, can provide protection against the Chikungunya virus. However, Ixchiq is currently under review by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) due to isolated reports of severe side effects in older people.
After returning from vacation in risk areas like Mauritius or La Réunion, one should go to the doctor quickly with fever or joint pain. Similarly, if there are symptoms after a mosquito bite near the French border, it is recommended to consult a family doctor. Once Chikungunya has healed, there is lifelong immunity to the disease.
In conclusion, the spread of the Asian Tiger Mosquito in Baden-Württemberg poses a significant threat to the local population, and efforts to control and eliminate breeding sites are essential to prevent the further spread of the Chikungunya virus. With ongoing climate change and the mosquito's expanding range in Europe, it is crucial for individuals to be aware of the risks and take appropriate precautions to protect themselves.
[1] European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. (2020). Aedes albopictus in Europe. Retrieved from https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/publications-data/aedes-albopictus-europe
[2] European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. (2020). Chikungunya virus. Retrieved from https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/disease-specific-information/chikungunya-virus
[3] Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF). (2020). Mosquito Atlas. Retrieved from https://www.zalf.de/mosquito-atlas
[4] Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut. (2020). Mosquitoes. Retrieved from https://www.fli.de/en/themen/tiergesundheit/vektoren/insekten/fliegen/fliegen_moskitos.html
- The Asian Tiger Mosquito, a carrier of the Chikungunya virus, has raised concerns about the potential spread of the disease in Baden-Württemberg, Germany.
- This mosquito species, first spotted in Germany in 2015, is expanding its range due to factors such as global trade, tourism, and climate change.
- The Chikungunya virus, described in Tanzania in 1952, causes symptoms like fever, headache, and joint pain.
- While it poses more danger to chronically ill people, the elderly, pregnant women, and newborns, most infected individuals recover fully within a week.
- However, severe joint pain can persist for months.
- The mosquito's expansion in Baden-Württemberg creates conditions for the Chikungunya virus to emerge and transmit locally.
- Climate change and the mosquito's expanding range in Europe are expected to exacerbate this trend.
- Recent cases near the German border in Alsace, France, highlight the cross-border risk to Baden-Württemberg.
- To prevent mosquito breeding, it's crucial to eliminate standing water in various locations like watering cans, birdbaths, and kiddie pools.
- The risk of infection with the Chikungunya virus remains low, but the further spread of the Asian Tiger Mosquito increases the likelihood of transmissions.
- To find out if one lives in a mosquito hotspot, maps from the Mosquito Atlas of the Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF) and the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI) can be used.
- For protection while traveling to affected regions, DEET- or ICH3-containing sprays, mosquito nets, and protective screens on windows are advised.
- Protective clothing like long-sleeved, wide, and light clothing, and fans at night can also offer protection.
- Vaccines like Ixchiq and Vimkunya can provide protection against the Chikungunya virus, with Ixchiq under review by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) due to reports of severe side effects in older people.
- After returning from vacation in risk areas, one should consult a doctor quickly if experiencing fever or joint pain.
- Similar precautions should be taken if symptoms appear after a mosquito bite near the French border.
- Once Chikungunya has healed, there is lifelong immunity to the disease.
- In conclusion, controlling and eliminating breeding sites is crucial to prevent the further spread of the Chikungunya virus.
- With climate change and the mosquito's expanding range in Europe, it's essential for individuals to be aware of the risks and take appropriate precautions.
- For more information about the Asian Tiger Mosquito, one can refer to resources from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.
- To learn more about the Chikungunya virus, resources from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and the Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF) can be used.
- For detailed information about mosquitoes, the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI) provides resources.
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