Is Sea Snot Behind the Asian Tiger Mosquito Surge?

Mosquito bite complaints surge in Istanbul; experts highlight critical factor

The Asian Tiger Mosquito, frequently encountered in Istanbul recently and causing infected wounds in many residents, continues to raise concerns. It is known that Asian Tiger Mosquitoes and many other mosquito species transmit numerous bacteria and viruses from animals to humans and human to human, spreading fatal diseases. How dangerous is the Asian Tiger Mosquito, frequently seen and causing concern in Istanbul recently? Which infectious diseases can be transmitted by mosquitoes? What needs to be done to combat mosquitoes? Altınbaş University Dr. İpek Ada Alver, Assistant Professor of Microbiology, addresses these questions and draws attention to sea mucilage pollution affecting the Sea of Marmara in the ongoing mosquito infestation, offering important warnings.

"Mosquitoes and migratory birds rank first in disease transmission"

Dr. İpek Ada Alver notes that while mosquito species are generally specific to certain regions, they are transmitted from country to country through migratory birds, by biting infected birds, or through travel. She states: "Migratory birds hold an important place among organisms in the transmission of what we call pandemic intercontinental infections. Mosquitoes that bite migratory birds carrying pathogenic viruses or bacteria act as intermediaries in transmitting infections to humans through blood, or new mosquito species can be transported to another country through inter-city transportation. In such a case, a mosquito carrying bacteria or virus in its salivary glands transmits the microorganisms through blood as it feeds on human blood while biting. Because pathogenic microorganisms pass directly into the blood, they spread rapidly to other tissues and organs, potentially leading to death."

"Carries Zika and West Nile viruses"

Microbiologist Dr. İpek Ada Alver, noting that approximately 3,500 mosquito species are known to exist and many of them are dangerous types capable of infecting humans, shares the following information about the Asian Tiger Mosquito, which came to public attention due to heavy mosquito bites affecting residents in Istanbul's Avcılar district and the infected wounds they cause: "The Asian Tiger Mosquito, along with female midges, Anopheles, Culex, and yellow fever mosquitoes, are among mosquitoes carrying fatal infections. The Asian Tiger Mosquito can cause infectious diseases including West Nile fever, yellow fever, dengue fever, Zika virus, Chikungunya, and Dirofilariasis. The Asian Tiger Mosquito found in our country carries the West Nile virus, also known as travel disease and which first caused an epidemic in Uganda. In individuals bitten by these mosquitoes, fever, diarrhea, vomiting, joint pain, weakness, and skin rashes may develop.

If these symptoms progress to headaches, high fever, neck stiffness, confusion, coma, tremors, seizures, or neurological damage such as paralysis, they can lead to death. Therefore, treatment must be sought without delay." "Mucilage created conditions for the Asian Tiger Mosquito"

Dr. İpek Ada Alver states that the living areas of the Asian Tiger Mosquito and many other dangerous mosquito species are waste materials and stagnant polluted water. She notes: "Climate change, industrial and domestic waste mixing into seas and lakes creating water pollution, increased waste and garbage, and deficiencies in disposal methods, combined with mucilage and the drying and pollution of stream and river waters, create living habitats for the Asian Tiger Mosquito and many other dangerous mosquito species, causing rapid reproduction. Therefore, solutions must be found especially for water pollution."

"Declining fish species also contributes to mosquito proliferation"

Emphasizing the important roles that individuals and society have in preventing the spread of disease-transmitting mosquito species, Dr. İpek Ada Alver states: "To eliminate dangerous mosquito species, sea mucilage pollution must first be combated, wetlands drained, stagnant stream and river water pollution prevented, industrial, domestic, or industrial waste must be prevented from entering waterways through increased penalties, pool cleaning must be monitored, and garbage and waste must be disposed of without delay in accordance with disposal regulations." Noting that many fish species in recent times face extinction due to sea pollution caused by mucilage and other factors in our country's waters, Dr. Ada Alver observes: "The extinction of fish species opens the door to dangerous mosquito species. Because fish feed on mosquito larvae and prevent their multiplication," highlighting that the decline in fish species is an important factor in the emergence of dangerous mosquito types. Microbiologist Dr. İpek Ada Alver adds that, bearing in mind that chemical agents used in liquid or gas form do not kill all mosquito species, new policies for mosquito control with new chemical agents must be pursued and biological control methods should also be considered.