The residents of Greater Buenos Aires began their work week this Monday
to applause
, but not as a result of happiness or a salary increase.
They had woken up invaded by clouds of mosquitoes.
As a large number of Buenos Aires residents showed on the social network X, large swarms of these insects
took over several municipalities in the province
, causing
discomfort and complaints
from neighbors.
Although most of the complaints occurred in the town of
La Plata
, cases were also reported in other towns in the southern suburbs and even in the district of
Tigre
.
As reported by the Mosquito Study Group of the Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences (FCEN) of the University of Buenos Aires (UBA), this is a
"peak of abundance"
of the species Aedes albifasciatus, also known as the
"flood mosquito." "
.
Although this species
does not present great risks
to humans, according to experts, it does transmit the
Western Equine Encephalitis
virus , which is why the use of repellents and mosquito nets is recommended.
Regarding the species that transmits Dengue, Zika and Chikungunya, the authorities recalled that "it does not usually develop in parks or squares, but rather does so indoors."
Faced with the invasion, the municipality of La Plata announced the
manufacture and delivery of 2,000 repellents
to residents, which will be distributed free of charge in all Primary Health Care Centers (CAPS).
In addition, the use of light clothing that covers a large part of the body was recommended.
In the
City of Buenos Aires
, the last invasion had been at the end of last year and during the first days of January, so since then, the Ministry of Public Space and Urban Hygiene reinforced the disinfestation plan in green spaces, parks and plazas, adding additional interventions in the largest green spaces in Buenos Aires, according to official sources.
In addition, the municipality reported that
fumigation, grass cutting, weeding
and awareness-raising tasks are being carried out.
The recommendation to neighbors also includes removing any container that may accumulate water and cleaning it with a brush or sponge to remove mosquito eggs, as well as removing water from vases, pet waterers and flower pot holders every two days;
unclog gutters and drains with boiling water;
cover grilles with mosquito netting
and weed patios and gardens.
The reduction of these insects
can take up to ten days
, but this time could increase in the event of new rains.
The reasons for the invasion of mosquitoes in the AMBA
According to Maximiliano Garzón, researcher of the Mosquito Study Group of the FCEN, after the abundant rains in the region, the
flooded areas became a favorable environment
for the
simultaneous hatching of the eggs
of these insects.
As its development depends on the temperature of the puddles, it can last for seven or eight days following rainfall, which indicates the
massive presence
of this species of wild mosquito.
"This peak of abundance will reduce in
ten days or a week
, although it depends on whether it rains again and if more mosquitoes breed in the puddles of parks and squares," added the researcher to the Télam agency.
Aedes
albifasciatus
is the transmitting species of the Western Equine Encephalitis (WEE) virus, which last year caused an outbreak in horses in the center and north of the country.
Although the researcher added that the virus "does not present great risks to humans and apparently would be controlled with the vaccination program in horses and the relevant measures,"
its bite is extremely aggressive
, because this type of insect is used to biting livestock. .
The last invasion of this species of mosquitoes was at the end of last year and the first days of January.
D.S.