However, this perspective we are used to is shifting due to climate change, increasing the locations where certain disease-carrying bugs live. Now, more than ever, responsible global citizens need to be mindful of the diseases they are at risk of, no matter where they are and what they used to know.

Let’s look at some of the vector-borne diseases appearing in new places and discuss what this means for society.

The Tiger Mosquito: Switzerland’s New Concern

Currently, three different invasive mosquito species, which had previously been alien to Switzerland, have been identified. These include the Asian tiger mosquito, the Korean bush mosquito, and the Japanese bush mosquito. 

Of these three mosquitoes, the appearance of the tiger mosquito is the most concerning because it can transmit pathogens and diseases, such as chikungunya, dengue, and Zika virus. This can be concerning for Swiss citizens as they were previously unsusceptible to these diseases and did need not worry about contracting them. Now, we have to be more aware. 

The tiger mosquito spreads disease by acting as a carrier of the disease and spreading it through its bites. However, to spread the disease, the mosquito must first bite someone with it. While diseases such as dengue, chikungunya, and Zike virus are not common in Switzerland, here’s how they might appear:

There are two key players in this scenario, an infected individual and the mosquito. The individual may become infected while visiting somewhere the diseases are more common. Then, they return home, and if the tiger mosquito bites them, the mosquito now carries the disease. If they bite someone else, the disease can spread even though it normally does not occur in this area. The more people infected, the more likely the disease will continue spreading.

Stay Aware: The Signs and Symptoms of Disease

The tiger mosquito can spread the following vector-borne diseases, which is why it is vital to know their signs and symptoms. 

Chikungunya

The most common symptoms of chikungunya are joint pain and fever. However, some people may also have muscle pain, headache, rashes, or joint swelling. These symptoms generally appear 3-7 days after the infected mosquito bites you. Most people who contract this disease feel better within a week, and rest, fluids, and over-the-counter pain medication can help relieve your symptoms. 

Unfortunately, there is currently no vaccine to protect against chikungunya, so the most crucial element of protection is preventing mosquito bites.

Dengue

Not everyone infected with dengue gets sick. Statistics currently show that one in 4 people infected with dengue become ill, and the symptoms can be mild or severe within this group. If you have already had a dengue infection, another infection with the dengue virus can quickly become life-threatening. That's why a good mosquito repellent is essential when traveling to a dengue area to protect yourself from a primary infection.

Symptoms of dengue include:

• fever
• eye pain
• headache
• bone pain
• muscle pain
• rash
• joint pain
• nausea/vomiting

These symptoms can last 2-7 weeks before someone recovers.

However, in cases of severe dengue, it can be life-threatening within only a few hours and requires immediate hospital care. This occurs in around 1 in 20 people who get sick from dengue and can result in internal bleeding, shock, or even death. 

The symptoms of severe dengue, which often begin 24-48 hours after the fever has gone away, include:

• vomiting (at least three times in 24 hours)
• belly pain
• blood in stool or vomiting blood
• bleeding from the gums or nose
• feeling irritable or restless

It is crucial to seek immediate medical attention if any of these symptoms are present. However, only supportive treatment is possible, e.g. fluid intake or administration of painkillers, since there is no effective therapy against the virus itself.

Zika Virus

Another virus the tiger mosquito carries is the Zika virus, which often comes with no or mild symptoms. However, it has been associated with pregnancy problems and birth defects if a pregnant woman becomes infected. 

The Effects of Climate Change

As the world experiences climate changes and more and more countries have temperatures favorable for mosquitos, cases of mosquitos appearing in places they previously did not inhabit will only continue increasing. 

For instance, in addition to the tiger mosquito in Switzerland, the continental United States has seen eight malaria cases since May, the first cases to appear there in 20 years. This means that those in the US, who have not had to worry about malaria for two decades, may now need to reeducate themselves on how to protect against this disease. 

Protecting Yourself from Vector-Borne Diseases

When it comes to protecting yourself and others from disease transmission, there are many steps responsible global citizens take.

They protect themselves from disease by knowing what they are susceptible to while at home or traveling and taking the necessary precautions. This limits the odds that they are bitten and lessens the chances of them spreading the disease to someone else. 

They are aware of climate change and play their part in lessening their global impact and carbon footprint. As our climate warms, mosquitos have longer periods to live and breed, and their habitat can spread. A 2021 study even suggests that an extra 4.7 billion people can be at risk of malaria or dengue by 2070 due to this epidemic belt expanding. 

It may seem scary to have new diseases popping up in places that were previously safe, but we can all play a role by staying educated (we provide a lot of great information!), protecting ourselves from bites, and spending each day taking care of our home, Earth. 

References

Asian Tiger Mosquito. (2023). https://www.swisstph.ch/en/topics/asian-tiger-mosquito

Chikungunya fact sheet. (2022). https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/chikungunya

Dengue and severe dengue. (2023). https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dengue-and-severe-dengue

8 people have acquired malaria in the US. They’re the first in 20 years. (2023). https://www.vox.com/science/2023/6/23/23771154/malaria-transmission-florida-texas-mosquitoes-risk-prevention-anopheles

Colón-González, F. J., Sewe, M. O., Tompkins, A. M., Sjödin, H., Casallas, A., Rocklöv, J., Caminade, C., & Lowe, R. (2021). Projecting the risk of mosquito-borne diseases in a warmer and more populated world: a multi-model, multi-scenario intercomparison modelling study. The Lancet. Planetary health, 5(7), e404–e414. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2542-5196(21)00132-7