Humans help Invasive tiger mosquitos

Since 2012 Mallorca Island, off the coast of Spain, has experienced rapid colonisation by the Asian tiger mosquito. This was not anticipated because the natural climatic conditions on the island were not considered optimal for the species. So what has been encouraging their colonisation of the Island? The answer it seems is humans.

The Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) is a highly invasive species and a vector of multiple pathogens including various viruses, such as chikungunya, dengue, and Zika. A new Medical and Veterinary Entomology study that evaluated the relationship between the mosquito’s presence and habitat variables at a small scale provides important information for planning effective prevention and control campaigns.

a tiger mosquito - photo Mikel Bengoa

Swimming pools

Mallorca is a highly populated island of the Balearic archpelago and a major tourist destination, and more than 6% of the island’s surface had been urbanised by 2006.

When investigators examined mosquito populations on Mallorca Island, they found that tiger mosquito's presence was negatively associated with altitude, probably due to greater human presence at low altitudes near the coast. Moreover, the species presence was mainly associated with the presence of fresh water surfaces (mainly swimming pools), due to nearby gardens, plants, and other freshwater sources.

The authors say that although chlorine or salty water in swimming pools do not represent suitable habitats for the tiger mosquito, the positive association with this variable is likely to be attributable to the gardens associated with these features.

Citizen intervention essential in controlling the invasion

Lead author Dr Ana Sanz-Aguilar of the University of the Balearic Islands says: “Given the widespread presence of Asian tiger mosquito on Mallorca Island and its association with human activities, the removal of potential breeding sites by citizen intervention will be essential to improve species control.”

If you like this article, please help us by subscribing and getting the latest updates:

Subscribe to The Thin End by Email

Follow @Ray_Noble1

Prioritising people in nursing care.

There has been in recent years concern that care in the NHS has not been sufficiently 'patient centred', or responsive to the needs of the patient on a case basis. It has been felt in care that it as been the patient who has had to adapt to the regime of care, rather than the other way around. Putting patients at the centre of care means being responsive to their needs and supporting them through the process of health care delivery. Patients should not become identikit sausages in a production line. The nurses body, the Nursing and Midwifery Council has responded to this challenge with a revised code of practice reflection get changes in health and social care since the previous code was published in 2008. The Code describes the professional standards of practice and behaviour for nurses and midwives. Four themes describe what nurses and midwives are expected to do: prioritise people practise effectively preserve safety, and promote professionalism and trust. The

Ian Duncan-Smith says he wants to make those on benefits 'better people'!

By any account, the government's austerity strategy is utilitarian. It justifies its approach by the presumed potential ends. It's objective is to cut the deficit, but it has also adopted another objective which is specifically targeted. It seeks to drive people off benefits and 'back to work'. The two together are toxic to the poorest in society. Those least able to cope are the most affected by the cuts in benefits and the loss of services. It is the coupling of these two strategic aims that make their policies ethically questionable. For, by combining the two, slashing the value of benefits to make budget savings while also changing the benefits system, the highest burden falls on a specific group, those dependent on benefits. For the greater good of the majority, a minority group, those on benefits, are being sacrificed; sacrificed on the altar of austerity. And they are being sacrificed in part so that others may be spared. Utilitarian ethics considers the ba

The Thin End

Search This Blog