Malaria & West Nile Virus soon in Germany?
effects of climate change
Created: 06/09/2022, 06:00
By: Janine Napirca
Is climate change bringing tropical diseases to Germany?
Here's what you should know about mosquito bites.
Climate change has serious consequences worldwide.
Among other things, according to the President of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), Lothar Wieler, more and more mosquitoes are spreading in Germany, which can transmit new diseases.
Below you can read about the diseases that tropical mosquitoes can transmit and how you can best protect yourself from mosquito bites.
These tropical mosquitoes, which can transmit diseases, already exist in Germany
Long gone are the days when only travelers were plagued by tropical mosquitoes.
There are now three tropical mosquitoes in particular that have spread in Germany and can transmit various diseases.
Asian tiger mosquito
Asian bush mosquito
Korean bush mosquito
Do we have to worry about tropical diseases transmitted by mosquitoes in the future due to climate change?
© Antonio Guillen Fernández/Imago
Which tropical diseases are coming to Germany due to climate change?
According to a report by Zavamed.com
, the following diseases can be
transmitted by mosquitoes:
West Nile Virus | Flu symptoms, skin rash, inflammation of the brain |
Japanese encephalitis | Headache, fever, meningitis, 50% of severe cases result in death |
Chikungunya fever | severe body aches, high fever |
zika virus | especially dangerous for pregnant women, skin rash, headache, muscle and joint pain, conjunctivitis, fever |
Dengue fever | Spread worldwide increased, febrile illness, can be fatal |
malaria | feverish illness, headache, back pain, fever and chills, no vaccination protection available, can lead to death in certain cases if left untreated |
yellow fever | Severe viral infection, first flare-up of fever and then severe liver inflammation, approx. 20% die, causal drug therapy not possible |
Should you see a doctor after a mosquito bite?
You usually do not need to seek medical attention for a mosquito bite, as the typical symptoms – itching and reddening of the skin – go away on their own after a few days.
However, no matter how hard it is, you should not scratch the affected areas.
Otherwise the puncture site could become inflamed.
It is better to grab an ice cube or a cooling compress to relieve the itching caused by the mosquito bite.
dr
medical
Ulrike Thieme, the medical director at ZAVA Germany, also recommends paying attention to other symptoms.
If fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, joint, muscle and limb pain, diarrhea or chills occur, this can indicate an infection and you should consult a doctor.
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How to protect yourself from mosquito bites that transmit tropical diseases?
To protect against mosquito bites, it is worth avoiding heavily perfumed products and taking regular showers, as mosquitoes are attracted to strong odors.
Wearing clothing that covers your body and is as light-colored as possible, such as long pant legs and long-sleeved tops, is also very useful.
dr
medical
Ulrike Thieme, Medical Director at ZAVA Germany
To prevent mosquito bites in Germany, the doctor recommends anti-mosquito sprays or creams from the pharmacy.
In the future, however, stronger mosquito repellents that have so far been recommended for tropical travel destinations - for example sprays with the highly effective active ingredient DEET - could be necessary.
Insect screens or impregnated mosquito nets can also protect against mosquitoes that transmit tropical diseases.