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Influence of climate change on mosquito development and mosquito-borne diseases in Europe

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Abstract

Mass occurrence of mosquitoes can have an immense impact on the quality of life in areas such as the Upper Rhine Valley. Therefore, biological and environmental measures are applied to prevent mass development in many regions of Europe. Despite successful prevention measures, the risk of contracting mosquito-borne viral diseases, such as West Nile fever, should be discounted in Central Europe. The transport of mosquitoes (e.g., through tire trade or within containers) into Germany has to be prevented. Individuals (tourists and immigrants) infected with imported vector-borne pathogens and parasites must be diagnosed and treated immediately. Mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases know no borders, and their spread is also a consequence of high mobility and globalization. Therefore, mosquito control requires international cooperation. People’s increased mobility and international trade play a more important role in the dissemination of the vectors and their pathogens/parasites than increasing temperatures.

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Acknowledgments

The following are gratefully acknowledged for their help in preparing the manuscript: Ute Timmermann, Stephanie J. Wendlberger, Katarzyna Rydzanicz, Björn Pluskota, Christian Weisser, and Achim Kaiser.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. German Mosquito Control Association (KABS), Ludwigstr. 99, 67165, Waldsee, Germany

    Norbert Becker

  2. University of Heidelberg, Zoological Institute, Im Neuenheimer Feld 230, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany

    Norbert Becker

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  1. Norbert Becker
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Correspondence to Norbert Becker.

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Becker, N. Influence of climate change on mosquito development and mosquito-borne diseases in Europe. Parasitol Res 103 (Suppl 1), 19–28 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-008-1210-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-008-1210-2

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