Asian tiger mosquitoes arrive in the capital
An aggressive breed of mosquito, which can carry potentially deadly viruses, has been spotted in the capital, according to scientists who have pressed the government to take action to curb the spread of the insect. The Asian tiger mosquito – a native of Asia, Africa and South America that has yellow stripes on a black body – can carry West Nile virus and dengue fever, which can both provoke fatal illnesses. A team of experts from Athens’s Benakio Institute of Phytopathology and the Agricultural University of Athens have called for a «comprehensive approach to solving the mosquito problem in our country to avert serious public health issues.» Though the Asian tiger mosquito was spotted in Thesprotia and Corfu in 2004, no action has been taken to eradicate it. It is thought the mosquitoes reached Greece via ferries arriving at the busy port of Igoumenitsa.
