The General Directorate of Public Health and Social Care of the Attica Region is located in increased readiness as climatic conditions have contributed to its increase Asian tiger mosquito and with her letter, to the village deputy governors, the mayors and the competent bodies, she requests the taking of additional measures to protect public health.

The document notes that “while an increase in nuisance from these mosquitoes is expected, there is no cause for excessive concern as the Asian tiger mosquito is a capable transmitter of diseases that do not exist in our country (Chikungunya, Zika and Dengue), while it is not involved in the cycle of West Nile Virus disease’.

However, the data of the measurements during the last weeks showed very high populations of the Asian tiger mosquito compared to previous years for many areas of the Attica Region. With the phenomenon being attributed to the climatic conditions that have prevailed in recent weeks, (high levels of humidity, sporadic rainfall, high temperatures).

It is noted that the services of the Region continue the work of regular applications (targeted spraying) and if deemed necessary for reasons of public health, they will also proceed with emergency applications”.

As is well known, the Region, as part of the 2021-2023 Mosquito Management Program in collaboration with the Benakeio Phytopathological Institute, is recording on a permanent basis the presence and seasonal variation of mosquitoes in Attica through an extensive entomological monitoring network.

Protection instructions

For the proper management of this particular species of mosquito and the avoidance of increased nuisance, the contribution of both the competent bodies and the citizens is required.

Given that the presence of mosquitoes is related to the presence of stagnant water suggested:

For the Municipalities and other competent bodies responsible for mosquito control programs in public spaces in the urban environment:

continue remedial actions and always perform an effectiveness check after any action. In particular, for open wells and rainwater runoff points, the appropriate applications with larvicide should be made and they should be cleaned frequently so that the flow of water to the network is not obstructed

For the citizenswith the aim of avoiding the increase of mosquitoes in the house and in the surrounding areas, as these mosquitoes lay their eggs in small pockets of stagnant water:

Replacing water in saucers of stray or controlled pets at regular intervals (less than a week).

The saucers from the pots should be emptied at regular intervals (less than a week).

Dripping faucets, sprinklers, or other leaking plumbing can easily create small pockets of standing water where mosquitoes breed and need to be fixed immediately.

Gutters and gutters on the roof must be kept clean as they are easily blocked by leaves or tree branches and retain rainwater.

Change water in fountains, large flower pots or other similar decorative structures at least once a week.

Small or large puddles in the lawn or other parts of the garden that can hold water for more than a week should be filled with soil or drained well.

Children’s pools, buckets or other toys that are usually left permanently in the yard or garden should be placed in appropriate places so that they do not collect rainwater.

Containers, barrels, old car tires or even in small tin boxes that are often forgotten in some corner of the garden must be removed or we must make sure that no stagnant water remains inside them by opening holes in their bottom or covering them.

Their contribution to the general effort to reduce the innumerable small mosquito breeding centers that exist in private spaces is extremely important.

Finally, it should be remembered that in order to avoid nuisance, it is recommended to use protective measures, e.g. insect repellents, mosquito nets or window screens, etc.