**Warm Weather and Rain Create Breeding Grounds as Mosquito Numbers Rise in Cyprus**
Persistently high temperatures combined with recent rainfall have led to an increase in mosquito populations across Cyprus, according to health services. The rise in mosquito numbers has been particularly concerning, as the island has reported 14 cases of West Nile virus this year, a disease primarily transmitted by the common Culex mosquito.
Irodotos Irodotou, a health services official from the Ministry of Health, highlighted that the combination of favorable environmental conditions has resulted in more breeding sites for mosquitoes. “At the same time, over the last three years we have observed an increase in mosquito numbers in our traps,” he stated.
West Nile virus is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito, which acquires the virus by feeding on infected birds, the primary hosts of the virus. Irodotou noted that while the virus can infect humans, they are considered "dead-end hosts," meaning they do not develop high enough levels of the virus to transmit it back to mosquitoes. “It is very difficult for it to be transmitted from person to person,” he explained.
Health services have been actively engaged in mosquito control operations since the 1950s, a response initiated during the malaria era in Cyprus. These operations involve treatments applied to rivers and other mosquito breeding areas, targeting the larvae stage of the insects. However, the mosquito landscape in Cyprus has evolved in recent years with the introduction of Aedes species, which have been identified in the past two years. Aedes aegypti has been found in Larnaca, while Aedes albopictus, commonly known as the Asian tiger mosquito, is now widespread across the island. Both species are known to transmit diseases such as dengue fever.
Despite the presence of these mosquitoes, Irodotou emphasized that the diseases they can carry are not currently circulating in Cyprus. “They can transmit these viruses, but these viruses are not present in Cyprus,” he stated. However, he cautioned that if an infected case were introduced, the potential for transmission could increase.
In response to the rising number of cases, health authorities have implemented immediate measures whenever a case requiring intervention is identified. This includes actions following confirmed human cases or laboratory findings of the virus, as well as measures taken after the detection of the virus in horses.
To enhance the effectiveness of mosquito control, authorities have convened meetings with municipalities to better coordinate efforts across local jurisdictions. The emergence of Aedes mosquitoes has altered the public's experience with mosquito nuisances. Unlike the Culex mosquito, which primarily bites during the evening and night, Aedes mosquitoes are active during the day, increasing the likelihood of bites.
Irodotou stressed the importance of public participation in mosquito control efforts, advising residents to eliminate standing water around their homes, check drains, and ensure that barrels and containers are emptied or securely covered. He also recommended that residents inspect plant pots and containers to prevent water accumulation and ensure that unused swimming pools do not become breeding grounds.
For personal protection against mosquito bites, Irodotou suggested the use of mosquito screens on doors and windows, mosquito nets, fans, and insect repellents. “We all need to take measures,” he urged, highlighting the collective responsibility in combating the rising mosquito populations and the associated health risks.
As Cyprus continues to monitor mosquito populations and the potential spread of diseases, the collaboration between health authorities and the public will be crucial in managing and mitigating the impact of these pests.