Like “almost” every summer, the sun comes back accompanied by its procession of mosquitoes and among them, the tiger mosquito recognized for its aggressive behavior and its ability to transmit diseases. Although it has been spotted several times, the tiger mosquito is not yet present throughout the territory, but only in some localized areas.
Tiger mosquito: how to identify it?
The tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) is from tropical areas and is one of the so -called invasive species. It is easily distinguished thanks to its black and white stripes, visible on its chest, its body and its legs. It is also smaller than the common mosquito: about 4 to 5 mm against 5 to 7 mm for the latter.
What dangers does it represent?
The tiger mosquito is capable of transmitting viruses like dengue or chikungunya. In Belgium, the risk of contracting one of these viruses remains very low for the moment, but vigilance remains in order.
Why monitor his presence?
Identify the tiger mosquito early allows the health authorities to react quickly and to avoid its lasting implantation on our territory.
For more info or to report an observation:
? www.surveillancemoustiques.be
Prevent its proliferation: the right reflexes to adopt
During spring and summer, we could find it in houses and public spaces. The female lays her eggs in small quantities of stagnant water, often in an urban or residential environment, the larvae needed to develop. It only takes a few millimeters of water to reproduce. Water in motion (such as fountains or streams) does not represent risk. In the forest, the tarpaulins badly stretched above the woods represent an ideal laying place for this mosquito.
Some main tips to reduce supply to laying places
- Regularly empty (at least every 5 days) the cups, buckets, watering cans, toys or any other container that can contain water.
- Turn or store these containers if they are not used.
- Speaking the plastic tarpaulins correctly to prevent water from stagnating.
- Cover the water tanks (tanks, barrels, out of use pools) with a lid or a mosquito net.
- Clean the gutters and pipes to avoid the accumulation of rainwater.
The best prevention is still to manage to eradicate it from our territory and to do this the municipalities and citizens play an important role in monitoring its presence on the territory. This surveillance is essential to limit its establishment and allow a rapid response from the health authorities.
Identifying a tiger mosquito quickly allows you to take measures to limit its proliferation! Information materials are available to you as an explanatory triptych (recognition, prevention, good gestures) and a poster for your municipal buildings. You can order them on the site https://ediwall.wallonie.be.
Take part in monitoring the tiger mosquito!
Aviq, in collaboration with Sciensano and the Institute of Tropical Medicine of Antwerp, invites you to contribute to surveillance in your municipality, as part of the Memo+project.
Do you think you have recognized a tiger mosquito? Report it! Take a photo of the mosquito and post it on the Survenationmoustics.be/Signally website.
In summary, your town has a key role to play in prevention:
– Awareness of the inhabitants with display campaigns, municipal bulletins and social networks
– Set up concrete actions: cleaning of public spaces, removal of stagnant waters, cemeteries controls, playgrounds, tarpaulins in the forest, etc.
– Collaborate with health services, schools, local associations and social landlords
Need help? Contact the Directorate of Infectious Diseases – AVIQ 071/33.77.77 [email protected]
