In Spain and other European countries, most people do not pay attention to mosquito bites. In addition to being physically inconvenient, in most cases they do not pose a threat to health, and in the recent past the situation was quite different. with some pharmaceutical ointment can eradicate itching and swelling in a second. But… What if we told you that every year the danger of disease from the bites of these insects is alarmingly increasing?
Spain was declared malaria-free in 1964, but aside from this disease, the peninsula has not historically suffered from mosquitoes. Actually, most of the arrivals were imported from other regions of the world.albeit with a low chance of surviving in the territory.
Unfortunately, the effects of climate change are not limited to progressive increases in heat and increasingly extreme natural events. With these slight differences in environment, an unfavorable breeding area for mosquitoes and other insects, such as the Iberian Peninsula, can be an ideal place for some species that have never arrived in this area. So we could talk about a new conquest that could endanger the lives of hundreds of thousands of people.
For this reason, the Scientific Media Center of Spain (SMC) has already released a statement in which they help us fight possible mosquito colonies that are in Spain. Some of them must be kept under a magnifying glass.and it is that they are an invasive species that can pose a health hazard.
What is the difference between different types of mosquitoes in Spain
Although there are thousands of mosquito species in existence, only a few of them are truly dangerous to mankind. According to the SMC, those that should be monitored are of the Aedes family: tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus), yellow fever mosquito (Aedes aegypti), Japanese mosquito (Aedes japonicus) and Korean mosquito (Aedes koreicus).
In addition, thanks to the Mosquito Alert app, you can know which of these species are invasiveas well as ways to distinguish them from ordinary mosquitoes.
To get it the most effective way is to look at the color of the mosquito. Those species that are capable of spreading disease are usually quite dark in color, often reaching black. Meanwhile, the usual harmless mosquito has a brown color. If you want to know a little more about the species and the danger they pose, you can look at the details of their thorax. Each will have a different pattern depending on which family they belong to, as the Mosquito Alert infographic shows.
Ways to avoid mosquitoes
For years, mosquito-borne disease prevention campaigns in tropical countries have focused on a specific issue: water. After all, this fluid is necessary for the appearance of these insects and is part of their life cycle. Here, The females lay eggs, which hatch into aquatic larvae. which leave the environment when they become new mosquitoes.
For this reason, the most effective way to contain mosquito outbreaks in your home or community is to avoid standing water at all costs. From a mop bucket to flower pots. Keep an eye on any areas where fluid may accumulate to keep these insects at bay.
First of all, be especially careful during rainy and wet seasons.. For obvious reasons, it is in summer and other warm seasons with high rainfall that mosquitoes usually appear in Spain and other regions of Europe.
How to avoid being bitten by these insects
The first thing to know is that not all mosquitoes have the same habits. While the common mosquito bites mostly at night, other invasive species have a longer schedule covering all times of the day.. For this reason, extra effort is required to avoid its bite. Avoid ultrasonic devices and wristbands as they are ineffective against these insects.
There are some insecticides that will quickly kill the pest. Some come as sprays that can be sprayed at specific times, while others have automatic activation. and you will only need to plug them into an outlet to get the job done. Also, if you want to prevent insects from entering from the street, you can use mosquito nets on the windows of your house.
If you are outdoors, camping or camping, the best way is to use insect repellants. After application, you will have to be careful about the time, and this is what most brands require reapplication after a few hours. Keep in mind that some people are more prone to biting than others.
You were bitten by a mosquito, what to do?
If you are bitten by one or more mosquitoes, The first thing you should do to avoid a possible infection is to wash the affected area with soap and water.. In addition, you can apply ice for about ten minutes to reduce swelling and itching in the area. If the latter does not stop, you can try antihistamine creams to reduce the discomfort.
Other than that, you don’t have to worry too much. The chance of getting sick from a mosquito bite while in Spain is quite low. If you are located in regions such as South America, Africa, or Asia, your risk increases., so the most important thing in this case will be the observation of subsequent symptoms. If you feel pain in your joints, muscles, neck or head, as well as fever, skin rash, vomiting or diarrhea, it is best to immediately contact the nearest medical center.
Source: Hiper Textual
