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Friday, March 29, 2024

Hotspots of mosquitoes in Cyprus are saucers under flower pots and tires

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EστΙες κουνο&pi ιoν στην Κyπρο τα πιατàκια κàτω απo τις γλαστρες και τα ελαστικα

The saucers under the pots as well as the forgotten old tires in the yards of the houses are two of the places where it became clear that due to the accumulation of stagnant water, the presence of mosquitoes in Cyprus is increasing. It is for this reason that the authorities consider the most important of all the measures taken, after the detection of the species Aedes Aegypti (yellow fever mosquito) in Larnaca and the species Aedes albopictus (tiger mosquito) in Limassol, the proper information of the public .

Although it is considered premature to have a complete picture, both the Health Services and the scientists of the Cyprus University of Technology have proceeded with planning regarding how to deal with mosquitoes, since Work Cells have already been placed in various places, i.e. places where  a suspicious incident has been reported.

At the same time, more than 1,500 residents of the area where Aedes Aegypti has been detected in Larnaca, have been informed about it by Health Services officials, while regarding Limassol, door-to-door public information is expected to start next Monday.

As he explained speaking to REPORTER  the Head of the TEPAK Research Group, Dr. Marlene Vasques, “so far there is data on the detection of the Aedes aegypti species in Larnaca and the Aedes albopictus species in Limassol. Both have similarities in that they are black and white mosquitoes, which are considered invasive alien species and feed during the day. This last is something that makes them stand out from the common mosquitoes we know, which usually bite at dusk and during the night.

EστΙες κουνουπι ν στην Κyπρο τα πιατακια κατω απo τ&iota ;ς γλαστρες και τα ελαστικα

* The photo is of the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which was taken after it was found in the Larnaca area

Besides these differences, according to dr. Basques are at different risks due to the fact that these species can under certain conditions transmit other diseases. As he explained, “these species can be transmitters of Zika, dengue and chikungunya diseases, which we were not concerned about on the island. But now that we know that there is a transmitter (including mosquitoes), we should start thinking about them, without considering, however, that the public health of the country is endangered. For any epidemic to occur, three things must occur simultaneously. At the same time we have a pathogen, a transmitter and a human. It takes a mosquito biting a sick person to become infected, a few days for that virus to multiply inside the mosquito, and then transfer the virus to another person with its bite. However, since we do not have these viruses in Cyprus, the chances of having an epidemic are very low”.

EστΙες κουνοπι ν στην Κyπρο τα πιατακια κατω απo τ&iota ;ς γλαστρες και τα ελαστικα

< p>However, to be on the safe side, it is suggested that such species should not be present in large populations, as the possibility is given for the species to move to other areas, as well as it may increase the risk of a possible epidemic, as well as not being significant nuisance. According to dr. Basques, the goal of TEPAK is to define the areas in which the specific species are found. “We have already divided the affected areas into Task Cells. What we need to answer is in which Work Cell there is a confirmed presence of the specific species. Confirmed presence means that an arrest has been made by someone from the Intervention Team. In Limassol, two areas have been confirmed, while there are areas from which photos are sent and which are under investigation,” he noted.

EστΙες κουνοπι ν στην Κyπρο τα πιατακια κατω απo τ&iota ;ς γλαστρες και τα ελαστικα

< p>Aedes aegypti, as he explained, is a species of more serious health importance compared to Aedes albopictus for the reason that its ecology shows that it is an anthropophilic species, that is, it prefers to bite humans and be inside the house. Aedes albopictus, on the other hand, can bite other mammals, and also tends to like to be outdoors. Also, Dr. Vaskes considers it premature to mention that there is any reason for concern, since in Larnaca there is already three weeks of experience and a better picture of what is being done, in contrast to Limassol, where planning has just now started in the Municipalities.  

EστΙες κουνοπι ν στην Κyπρο τα πιατακια κατω απo τ&iota ;ς γλαστρες και τα ελαστικα

< p>The biggest difference in the problem that has arisen, according to the head of the TEPAK Research Group, can be made by citizens by removing small collective water sources. “The most serious problem we have identified so far is the saucers under the pots and the second most serious is the used tires that are being thrown, either in our yards or in our neighborhoods. Because there, there is a dark warm space, which creates the right conditions for mosquitoes to lay their eggs. At the same time, there are pet feeders, which become an ideal place for thousands of mosquitoes to grow and must be washed more often,” said Dr. Vaskes.

Larnaca and Limassol available

However, the Health Services of the state are in constant consultation with the communities and the Municipalities, while so far in Larnaca about 1500 residents have been informed by officials of the Services, while on Monday, officials of the Municipality of Limassol in collaboration with the Health Services, after education, they will inform the areas of Limassol where the infectious mosquito has been detected.

EστΙες κουνοπι ν στην Κyπρο τα πιατακια κατω απo τ&iota ;ς γλαστρες και τα ελαστικα

< p>Speaking to the REPORTER, the deputy head of the Health Services, Herodotos Herodotou, noted that at this stage there is no cause for concern for a further or uncontrolled increase of mosquitoes in the areas where they have been detected.

< p>“The residents of the affected areas of Larnaca have already been informed and on Monday the residents of Limassol will also be informed, while spraying was done in various places where a mosquito could be detected. We have constant reports from citizens, who send us photos. Anything that can be considered suspicious is put under a microscope for inspection”, noted Mr. Herodotou.

EστΙες κουνοπι ν στην Κyπρο τα πιατακια κατω απo τ&iota ;ς γλαστρες και τα ελαστικα

< p>The goal of the experts, according to Mr. Herodotou, is to keep the number of mosquitoes that have been detected low, but also to exterminate them completely. However, as he said, “the Tiger mosquito is more difficult to eradicate because it exists in increased numbers in neighboring states such as Greece and Italy. Even if it is exterminated, there is a possibility that it will appear again, because it is a species that survives more easily at low temperatures. We will do what we can.” ουνουπιoν στην Κyπρο τα πιατΑκια κατω απo τις γλαστρες και τα ελασ&tau ;ικà” />

*Photos are from places where infectious mosquitoes have been detected 

  • The measures taken by the Municipality of Limassol to deal with the “tiger” mosquito
  • Door to door will inform the residents of Dromolaxia about the infectious mosquito< /li>

Source: www.reporter.com.cy

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