A few Asian tiger mosquitoes (Aedes Albopictus) have been discovered in Hoogeveen.
The larger, white striped mosquito can transmit infectious diseases including the yellow fever virus, zika, and Chikungunya fever. The sightings have been reported by the broadcaster for the province of Drenthe, RTV Drenthe.
Many of the tiger mosquitoes hitch a ride in car tires or in exports of the houseplant lucky bamboo to the Netherlands. The presence of the Asian tiger mosquito is undesirable because the mosquito can transmit infectious diseases, and readily lives in the same habitats as humans. Any tropical disease transmission has not yet occurred in the Netherlands and the chances of this happening in the future are also very small. To prevent the mosquito from settling in the Netherlands, the NVWA will take measures against the tiger mosquito.
Last week a tiger mosquito was discovered in an incoming foodstuff shipment. The Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) then started an investigation. In addition, two tiger mosquitoes were found. The mosquitoes are able to settle in Northern Europe due to changing climate patterns, and warmer seasons.
