Cyprus: Alert Over Dangerous Mosquitoes – Measures and Traps Deployed

An alert has been issued in Cyprus due to the spread of dangerous mosquitoes. Authorities are on high alert following a call from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, and are taking measures to address the phenomenon.

One of the measures is the placement of special traps for the geographical distribution and risk assessment of mosquitoes. According to Augustinos Stefanou, Laboratory Officer of Medical Entomology, wooden substrates are used to attract mosquitoes to lay eggs. The eggs are collected and analyzed in the laboratory.

The Health Services, after identifying areas with increased mosquito populations, are implementing a door-to-door information program where workers inform citizens about avoiding the creation of stagnant water sources.

Dr. Michalis Mendris, Microbiologist, stated that the Aedes genus mosquito exists in Cyprus, including Aedes albopictus (tiger mosquito) and Aedes aegypti, carriers of dangerous diseases such as yellow fever, dengue fever, Zika virus, and chikungunya.

Herodotos Herodotou, Head of Health Services, assured that an action plan has been drawn up to deal with any cases. So far, no indigenous transmissions have been recorded, while the few cases are imported.