Bulgaria is among the countries in Europe where there is a permanent establishment of the tiger mosquito, which carries viruses such as dengue and zika.
This was reported by the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control and warned of an increase in infections with diseases transmitted by mosquitoes, BNR reports.
Recent data show an increasing trend in dengue cases transferred to Europe from regions where this virus regularly occurs, as well as an increase in local dengue and West Nile outbreaks on the Old Continent.
Climate changes create suitable conditions for the spread of invasive mosquitoes in territories that were previously unaffected, one of them being Bulgaria, explained the director of the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control Andrea Amon.
"As of this year, the Asian tiger mosquito is permanently established in Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia and Spain. It is known to carry dengue, chikungunya and zika viruses. It is spreading more and more to the north, east and west of Europe. Warmer temperatures as well as mild winters in Europe have created more favorable conditions for the survival and reproduction of the Asian tiger mosquito," Andrea Amon pointed out.
In 2023, there were 130 cases of dengue infection in Europe, and in 2022 there were 71. This is a significant increase compared to the period 2010-2021, when the total number of infections in Europe was was 73. Cases of people arriving infected from abroad have also increased. In 2022, they were 1572, and in 2023 they are already over 4900.
The center recommends wearing clothing that covers most of the body, using mosquito repellent, and placing insect nets on windows.