Researchers have discovered tiger mosquitoes in Sweden, which spreads dengue fever, but not yet in Finland. The tiger mosquito is known to carry dengue fever and has started spreading to Europe due to global warming. Despite no confirmed sightings in Finland, a tiger mosquito could potentially arrive through plants or other means.
One instance involved a traveler returning with a plant from their trip that contained mosquito eggs, which later hatched into larvae. Experts were able to identify and destroy the population. While the tiger mosquito does not typically lay eggs in water, they can survive by the water’s edge and are resistant to drought.
In Europe, there has been an increase in dengue fever cases, with 130 cases recorded last year. The tiger mosquito has established populations in 13 European countries and has been observed in seven others. However, while the risk of dengue in Finland is currently low, the situation could change with climate change.
A modest mosquitow species found in the coastal region of Pori during the summer of 2022 poses a potential threat to Finland as it carries West Nile virus. Other mosquito species found in Finland have also been studied for their ability to transmit this virus.
Despite low risks of dengue fever in Finland, monitoring mosquito populations and potential virus transmissions remains important due to climate change and the spread of mosquito-borne diseases to new areas.
