Paris Fumigates for the First Time As Disease-Carrying Asian Tiger Mosquitoes Rapidly Spreads in Europe

For the first time, health authorities in the French capital fumigated areas in Paris to kill the disease-carrying tiger mosquitoes. The rapid invasion of these insects in northern Europe is believed to be due to climate change.

Europe Under Insect Invasion

In the first decade of this century, the tiger mosquito arrived in the southern region of Europe and has rapidly spread north ever since, establishing itself in Germany, Switzerland, and France. Health experts believe that the insect thrives on the continent partly due to climate change since warmer temperatures shorten the incubation period of mosquito eggs while the winter seasons are no longer cold enough to kill off these insects.

Deputy Paris Mayor Anne Souyris reported that this invasion was a first in Paris but not in France. The country's southern region has been affected by tiger mosquitoes for some time. Data from the health ministry also reveals that after the tiger mosquitoes were first spotted in France in 2004, they are now present in 71 of its 96 departments on the mainland, even in regions near the northern Channel coast.

Experts believe that this European invasion is a risk that will get even better. If this spread continues, more mosquito-borne diseases and deaths will occur. As a result, people are encouraged to report sightings, with a special website created to collect evidence.

On August 31, the authorities conducted a fumigation across the city for the first time. Roads were closed, and people were asked to stay inside their homes as pest control contractors sprayed insecticide in trees, green spaces, and other mosquito-breeding areas.

According to ARS Ile-de-France, the regional health body for Paris, the area aimed for fumigation was 150 meters around the home of a patient residing in the 13th district who contracted dengue fever while traveling. After detecting a confirmed case, the operations were done to lower the risk of transmitting dengue.

A second round of fumigation was planned in the Colombes suburb northeast of central Paris after a second patient fell ill with the same fever upon returning from a foreign trip. Local authorities try to prevent a chain of transmission from developing in the capital, which is home to almost 12 million people.

What is an Asian Tiger Mosquito?

Asian tiger mosquitoes (Aedes albopictus) are an exotic mosquito species originating from Southeast Asia. Also known as forest mosquitoes, these insects got their "tiger" name from the presence of white stripes down the center of their head and back.

Female Asian tiger mosquitoes usually bite during the daytime. Their bites are not necessarily painful but can leave a red, itchy bump on the skin. They can transmit harmful diseases such as Zika virus, dengue fever, Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), West Nile virus, and Chikungunya. Meanwhile, male Asian tiger mosquitoes do not bite humans and feed only on plant nectar.

These insects can survive in a broad range of climates. They are active year-round in warm areas but are also known to live through the winter in temperate regions. The females lay their eggs inside containers with stagnant water, such as flowerpots, clogged drains, tires, and birdbaths.