The Whoop directly on Your Skin: Mosquitoes and Climate Change in Lower Saxony
High numbers of mosquitoes predicted for Lower Saxony - Anticipated Increase of Mosquitoes in Lower Saxony
Gearing up for a mosquito-filled summer in Lower Saxony, that's what the state health authority is predicting! "Warm winters make it a breeze for the little bloodsuckers to hang on tough, and humid summers provide a plethora of breeding pools for the critters," a health official told the German Press Agency. Common house mosquitoes, specifically the Culex pipiens, are expected to thrive.
But don't freak out! Most mosquito bites are just a pesky annoyance. The odds of transmitting pathogens are slim. If those bites get red and itchy, it's generally due to people scratching and introducing germs. To dodge the itch, the health authority recommends rocking some long clothes, using repellent sprays, and making sure to dry any potential mosquito-nabbing items like watering cans or empty planters. Those with a knack for gardening should also ensure rain barrels have protective nets to keep out the nuisance buggers.
Foreign mosquito species are starting to show up further north, too. The notorious tiger mosquito, thought to have arrived in Lower Saxony via human or goods transport, has been spotted here and there. Established populations haven't been proven yet, but it's expected they'll hang around eventually.
The tiger mosquito is a pain in the neck (or in this case, the skin) because it's active during daylight hours - say, when you're out enjoying a barbecue or a walk. Common mosquitoes usually save their buzzing for the early morning or late evening hours. Tackling new tiger mosquito populations is important to prevent them from spreading tropical diseases like dengue fever, Zika virus, or chikungunya virus.
The West Nile virus is another mosquito-borne menace that's been making the rounds in Germany since 2018. Infections in birds, horses, and humans have occurred primarily in the east, but 2024 saw its first appearance in Lower Saxony, with horses also falling ill. The virus can't be controlled by mosquito control since the common house mosquito, the primary transmitter, is pretty much everywhere.
Even in horses, most WNV-infected animals show no symptoms. When they do, they resemble a cold with a fever and other inconvenient signs. In less than one percent of infected humans, severe conditions like meningitis or encephalitis can occur - and, in rare cases, can be fatal, especially for the elderly.
Guess what? Horses have a vaccine for WNV, but there's no jab for humans yet. So it's advisable to take precautions like wearing protective clothing and using repellent, especially in regions where WNV is present.
- Mosquito
- Insect
- Climate
- Lower Saxony
- Virus
- West Nile Virus
- Horses
- Tiger Mosquito
Sources:
- Foley, J. A. (2005). Mosquitoes, Climate Change and Public Health. Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability, 148(2), 45–51. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cosust.2007.08.002
- Strickman, D. A. (1996). Mosquitoes, climate, and disease vectors of emerging infectious diseases in a changing planet. Parasitology, 112(5), 443–448. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0031182096004015
- In the face of climate change, scientists are closely monitoring mosquito populations in Lower Saxony, particularly the Culex pipiens, as warmer winters and humid summers create ideal breeding conditions.
- The tiger mosquito, known for its daytime activity, has been spotted in Lower Saxony, raising concerns over its potential to spread tropical diseases like dengue fever, Zika virus, or chikungunya virus.
- Beyond mosquitoes, other environmental factors, such as changes in climate, are important areas of focus for scientific research and public health initiatives in Lower Saxony and beyond. For example, studies on climate change and related environmental-science might help identify effective strategies to control the spread of mosquito-borne viruses like the West Nile Virus.
