Paris fumigated for 1st time as disease-carrying mosquito spreads, likely triggered by climate change

Paris fumigated for 1st time as disease-carrying mosquito spreads, likely triggered by climate change

Subject: Environment

Section: Climate Change

Context:

• Paris health authorities sprayed insecticides in public spaces in the city’s southeast like gardens and trees, which are breeding grounds for mosquitoes to check the spread of disease-carrying tiger mosquitoes found to be rapidly expanding in Europe.

Details:

• Experts have linked their proliferation to climate change.
• This was the first fumigation exercise in Paris.
• The aim is to reduce the risk of dengue transmission.

Aedes albopictus:

• The mosquito (Aedes albopictus) is an invasive species and is native to the tropical areas of Southeast Asia.
• It was first spotted in France in 2004.
• Ten years ago, in 2013, the Aedes albopictus mosquito was established in 8 EU/EEA countries, with 114 regions being affected.
• Now in 2023, the mosquito is established in 13 countries and 337 regions.

Mosquito spread in European region:

• The establishment of mosquito species is defined as having self-sustained mosquito populations that are overwintering and reproducing in a given administrative region.
• The mosquito species Aedes albopictus, a known vector of chikungunya and dengue viruses, is establishing itself further northwards and westwards in Europe, according to the latest data from ECDC.
• Also, Aedes aegypti, known to transmit dengue, yellow fever, chikungunya, Zika and, potentially, West Nile viruses, has been established in Cyprus since 2022 and may continue to spread to other European countries.
• The mosquito’s spread has also been quite rapid across the rest of Europe.
• There have been sporadic cases of the diseases caused by the mosquito in the continent, but the number of these local infections have grown over the years.
• Probable reason for spread:
  • Climate change may have a role to play in this.
  • This is because warmer weather has shortened the incubation period for its eggs while winters are no longer cold enough to kill off the pests.
  • The European health agencies have recognised mosquito-borne diseases as a growing threat and have urged residents to be more proactive in reporting sightings of the mosquito.