Summer rainfall in Cyprus creates favourable mosquito breeding conditions
Microbiologist Petros Karayiannis said unusual summer rain and hailstorms have increased mosquito breeding conditions in Cyprus.
Nicosia, Cyprus. Unusual summer rainfall and occasional hailstorms have created favourable breeding conditions for mosquitoes in Cyprus, microbiologist Dr Petros Karayiannis said on Tuesday. He warned that climate change could make such conditions increasingly common.
Standing water and mosquito activity
Karayiannis told the Cyprus News Agency that rainfall in August had left standing water in riverbeds, pools and other areas, providing ideal conditions for mosquitoes to reproduce.
“We are now seeing considerable rainfall even during the summer,” he said. “Rivers flow and water inevitably remains in some pools and riverbeds, which are ideal breeding grounds.”
He also raised concern that mosquitoes were increasingly biting during the daytime, rather than mainly in the early morning and evening. Some bites were causing inflammation that could take time to subside, he added.
Prevention measures
Karayiannis advised people to use insect repellent and wear long-sleeved clothing.
He said fans could also help in the evening by keeping air moving, particularly in homes without air conditioning. Households should remove containers and other objects holding standing water from gardens and outdoor areas, he added.
Disease risk
West Nile virus is currently the main mosquito-borne disease concern in Cyprus, Karayiannis said.
He contrasted the situation with southern European countries including Italy, France and Spain, where cases of chikungunya and other mosquito-borne diseases have been recorded.
The risk of diseases such as dengue or yellow fever becoming established in Cyprus remains remote, although imported cases are possible, he said.
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