Another specimen of tiger mosquito found in Tenerife

This has been reported by the Ministry of Health of the Government of the Canary Islands, which adds that it has reported the activation again of the protocol provided for in the Entomological Surveillance System of the islands. This is the second case of detection of mosquitoes of the species Aedes albopictus in Canary Islandsbehind the Tacoronte episode at the beginning of this month of September.

The Entomological Surveillance System protocol was activated yesterday, Monday, September 25, after receiving vectors.scs@gobiernodecanarias.org a notice for a strong inflammatory reaction caused by a mosquito bitein which an image of a specimen captured in a home in Santa Cruz de Tenerife was also attached.

The research staff from the Institute of Tropical Diseases and Public Health of the Canary Islands, of the University of La Laguna, collected a captured mosquito specimen yesterday and inspected the house, where oovittraps and a BG-sentinel adult trap were placed. They were not detected in this inspection of the affected home more adult specimens, nor larvae.

The collected specimen It is an adult female.morphologically identified as belonging to the species Aedes albopictusafter analysis at the Medical Entomology Laboratory of the University Institute of Tropical Diseases and Public Health of the Canary Islands.

Activation in health centers and pharmacy offices

Health centers and pharmacy offices within a 500 meter perimeter around the home have been informed, so that they are especially vigilant against the appearance of abnormal bites and febrile processes in people who have recently traveled to geographic areas where diseases circulate that are susceptible to transmission through mosquitoes that act as vectors, such as dengue or Chikungunya. In the Canary Islands, these diseases do not circulate, and imported cases are sporadically detected.

With the collaboration of the Santa Cruz de Tenerife City Council, scuppers, hydrants, parks, gardens and ravines have been reviewed and treated in the area around the house where the specimen was collected, and continuous surveillance continues. in the zone.

Public Health Inspectors from the Health Area of ​​Tenerife and technicians from the Medical Entomology Laboratory of the Institute of Tropical Diseases of the ULL This morning, with the support of the local police, they proceeded to inspect the homes and businesses located in the 100-meter perimeter around the notifier’s house.

Essential citizen collaboration

Citizen collaboration is especially important at this time to prevent the proliferation of breeding points and for the identification of possible specimens.

Citizens can send photos of suspected presence of the Aedes or images of strong inflammatory reactions due to bites if they occur, to the email account vectors.scs@gobiernodecanarias.orgindicating the exact geographical location in which it has been located and a contact telephone number.

The mosquitos Aedes They are smaller than common mosquitoes, darker in color, with silver bands on the body and white-striped legs. They usually bite in the early morning or at dusk. and they do not emit the typical buzz of the common mosquito

The females are the ones that bite, since they need to feed on blood to reproduce. They also need water (breeding points) to complete their development. They lay their eggs in the water, from which the larvae emerge and then transform into pupae (both aquatic) and finally become mosquitoes. Any point of water accumulation or puddles can serve as a breeding ground, so it is vital to eliminate them.

Preventive measures

Mosquitoes that bite humans need to be breeding very close to them. The first measure is aimed at controlling and eliminating any accumulation of water since it can become, even if it is very small like a bottle cap, a breeding point. For this it is recommended:

• Place sand in the saucers of the pots, this way they can be watered, avoiding dishes with water in which the female can deposit her eggs. Otherwise, the dishes must be emptied and cleaned once a week to prevent the eggs laid by the females from evolving into adults.

• Avoid growing plants directly in water (pothos, bamboo, money plant, etc.) by transferring them to soil. Change the water in vases daily.

• In outdoor areas (gardens, patios, rooftops, terraces, balconies, etc.), place empty pots, bottles, buckets, watering cans and any other container in which irrigation or rainwater can accumulate upside down.

• Avoid flooding in gardens, rooftops, balconies or terraces after watering or rain. Keep these areas clean and remove pruning remains where water may accumulate.

• Daily, clean and change the water in animal drinkers.

• Water tanks should be kept tightly covered to prevent the entry of mosquitoes, as should any receptacle used to collect rainwater.

• Pools must be kept well chlorinated and recirculated daily. If they are empty with little water, they constitute a significant risk for the proliferation of mosquitoes.

• Clean the tray on the outside of the refrigerator and air conditioning devices where water can accumulate, including portable equipment receptacles.

• Keep the drains in external areas clean and check that water does not remain stagnant in parts of it.