Arab Weather - British scientists have warned that the recent weather changes and the warm atmosphere witnessed in the British Isles may contribute to the spread of some dangerous tropical diseases in the country. Recent studies have shown the discovery of new types of mosquitoes that had not appeared in the region before.
In the county of Kent in southern England, scientists appear to be on high alert in anticipation of the arrival of new strains of mosquitoes in the country, as warm weather helps them breed and spread in the United Kingdom. This fear is particularly embodied by a new type of mosquito that has not yet become established, but has begun to arrive.
In this context, Director of the Department of Medical Entomology, Jolyon Medlock, points out that they have observed the appearance of this type of mosquito 6 times, all of which were in southeastern England. As the climate continues to change and warm weather continues for longer periods, the environment becomes more suitable for their breeding each time they arrive in the country.
The tiger mosquito has spread in Europe since it was first spotted in Italy in 1990, and scientists expect it to become endemic in the UK within 50 years if its arrival rates in the country continue at current levels.
Professor of Tropical Diseases at the University of London, Oliver Brady, comments on the situation, saying: “This mosquito transmits serious diseases, and although they rarely lead to death, they require long treatment in hospital. If this mosquito transmits these diseases to vast areas of the world, “History tells us that simple diseases can turn into epidemics.”
Scientists are intensively monitoring riverbeds to confront any emerging strains of this mosquito, in order to eliminate them as quickly as possible. However, the speed of its spread in Europe suggests that this may not be enough.
The effects of climate change in Britain confirm that they are no longer limited to a decline in river levels due to lack of rain and high temperatures, but today they threaten the emergence of diseases and health problems that were unprecedented.
The European Center for Disease Control and Prevention, part of the European Union Health Authority, warned that changing climate conditions increase the risk of mosquito-borne diseases. This warning is distinguished by its focus on specific types of mosquitoes that have become increasingly widespread in Europe. These species are known vectors for viruses such as chikungunya, Zika, dengue, West Nile, jaundice, and other diseases. It is noteworthy that these conditions increase the spread of these mosquitoes in northern and western Europe.
As a result of global warming, Europe's climate will see temperatures rise, leading to more frequent floods and longer and hotter summers, according to a report from the European Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
This change in climatic conditions creates an environment more hospitable to the life of gas-based mosquitoes, such as the Asian tiger mosquito, known for its black and white color scheme. Ten years ago, this mosquito was present in 8 European countries, but today it has spread to 13 countries.
Although the origin of its spread was in Asia, especially in the countries of the southeast of the continent, climate change and the worsening phenomenon of global warming in recent years have made it appear in new regions around the world. Experts warn that climate change has become a real threat affecting various aspects of life on planet Earth, calling for urgent international action to confront this challenge and limit its increasing impacts.
Environmental expert Ayman Qaddouri points out that the effects of climate change are evident in disrupting the rules of the natural ecosystem, which threatens to destroy it. These effects are not limited to the main known aspects, such as desertification, drought, water shortages, changing rainfall intensity in some areas and its increase in other areas, and the retreat of ice.
He adds that these effects lead to changes in natural and environmental life phenomena, such as the emergence of new types of insects in areas and environments where they were not found before, as a result of radical changes in ecosystems.
For example, he points to the spread of the tiger mosquito in several European countries, which is distinguished by its virulence and its bites differ from those of other similar species. It is emphasized that this mosquito transmits dangerous and deadly diseases, which raises growing concern in Europe about it.
Source: skynewsarabia
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