NdP – La Xunta confirms the presence of tiger mosquito larvae in the municipality of Mos through the Galician Vector Surveillance Network, ReGaViVec

La Xunta, through the Galician Vector Surveillance Network (ReGaViVec), which also includes the universities of Vigo and Santiago de Compostela, confirmed the presence of tiger mosquito larvae in the municipality of Mos.

During monitoring work in municipalities surrounding the known distribution area of the tiger mosquito in the Galician community, mosquito larvae were detected in the Torroso area, in the municipality of Mos.

As they were detected in the larval stage, everything seems to indicate that the population has been introduced. ReGaViVec, in collaboration with the council, will increase surveillance by setting traps to determine the extent and abundance of the tiger mosquito, based on the criteria of public health technicians and entomology experts from ReGaViVec.

In addition, the Mos Town Council will join those of Moaña, Vigo, Cangas, Redondela, Porriño, Vilaboa and Bueu as a member of the tiger mosquito technical committee.

The Regional Ministry of Health appreciates citizens’ participation in following the advice to prevent the proliferation of this insect, which is a vector for diseases such as dengue, chikungunya and Zika. Therefore, they remind citizens that the most effective way to prevent this proliferation is to prevent egg laying and larval growth with simple guidelines such as eliminating standing water in drinking troughs, saucers under flower pots, outdoor pots or boats by simply emptying them or changing the water every 4-5 days.

The Regional Ministry of Health has a collaboration agreement with the Spanish National Research Council to promote the download of the Mosquito Alert mobile application, which allows citizens to submit photographs for study by entomology specialists, who will confirm whether it is a tiger mosquito or another species.

To avoid tiger mosquito bites, it is advisable to use specific repellents that can be found in the lists of authorised products, as well as wearing long sleeves and loose-fitting trousers and closed shoes or installing mosquito nets on doors and windows. The bites can be annoying and, in some cases, can cause allergic reactions of a certain severity.

All the information is available at the following link from the Directorate-General for Public Health: https://www.sergas.es/saude-publica/Mosquito-tigre?idioma=ga.a: https://www.sergas.es/saude-publica/Mosquito-tigre?idioma=ga.