The Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) in the Netherlands: should we worry?

摘要

In 2005, during routine inspections the presence of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes -was identified from a greenhouse. Follow-up investigation revealed that these insects -were introduced through the import of Dracaena sanderiana ('Lucky Bamboo') from Southern China. Following reports of this finding to the National Institute of Public health and the Environment, a joint risk assessment was done to assess the potential risks to human health as the basis for an advise to the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sports. The imported Aedes albopictus originate from an area in Southern China where arboviral infections do occur. Although surveillance data from China are sparse, it is assumed that dengue viruses are the most prevalent arboviruses in the region. Dengue viruses can be transmitted by A. albopictus, and may cause acute febrile illness in humans, sometimes complicated by e.g. severe joint pains. It is unclear whether A. albopictus would be able to survive, breed and become established under the climate conditions in the Netherlands, thereby creating a reservoir for a range of arboviral diseases unknown to the population of the Netherlands. Therefore, control measures to reduce the potential for import of these mosquitoes was recommended. In addition,four intertwined studies were started in 2006 to address the following questions: 1) what is the current spread of the mosquitoes in the Netherlands? 2) can A. albopictus establish itself in the Dutch climate?, 3) are the 'Dutch' A. albopictus mosquitoes infected with dengue virus? 4) Are there indications that dengue has been transmitted to people in the Lucky Bamboo-importing companies?