The role of invasive mosquito vectors for spread and re-emerging of vector-borne diseases addressed to southern europe and Mediterranean Basin

Aedes albopictus (Asian tiger mosquito) and Aedes aegypti (Yellow fever mosquito) are the vectors for Dengue Hemorrhagic fever and Chikungunya fever. They named also invasive mosquito vectors (IMV). The introduction, establishment and spread of IMVwithin the European region, assisted by globalization in trade and travel, are a cause for serious concern. Mosquitoes have been introduced and have successfully established themselves in new environments where they can compete with native species, transmit disease pathogens to humans, domestic animals and wildlife. IMV of the genus Aedes are able to disperse into new areas and adapt to new environmental conditions. In recent years, six Aedes species have been introduced into Southern Europe some of which have become firmly established and spread over large areas. The most invasive species, Aedes albopictus, has greatly expanded its range over recent decades and is now firmly established in the Mediterranean Basin. Its developmental stages, especially the eggs, are effectively transported mainly with the global trade. Adult mosquitoes are also inadvertently transported by vehicles. This species, which is a vector of human diseases, can survive periods of coldness, and predictive models indicate that its range can expand northwards, especially in view of climate change. A second species, Aedes aegypti, has become established around the Black Sea (Georgia and the Russian Federation) and in Madeira (Portugal). This species, which is a highly effective vector of dengue, chikungunya and yellow fever viruses and closely adapted to human habitats, could re-establish itself in most of southern Europe, but due to its cold intolerance, probably not further north. As a consequence of the global spread of Dengue and Chikungunya, together with ever expanding global traffic, the number of cases among travellers into the region has been steadily increasing in recent years. In particular, the recent rise in the number of Dengue cases overseas might lead to an increase in infections being introduced into the European mainland, especially in view of the large numbers of travellers. The introduction of viraemic cases (persons carrying the virus) can lead to transmission wherever populations of IMV, particularly Aedes albopictus or Aedes aegypti, have become locally established. In recent years, Aedes albopictus has been implicated as the vector responsible for outbreaks of Chikungunya fever in France and Italy, and has been responsible for local transmission of Dengue fever in Croatia and France. This mosquito species has also been considered as a potential bridge vector of other arboviruses (such as West Nile virus) from birds and mammals to humans. During the autumn of 2012, Aedes aegypti was the vector implicated in the outbreak of Dengue in Madeira (Portugal).BG; bg; EFSAfocalpoint@mzh.government.b