EDIT
Among the insects the experts are most concerned about is the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus). It has already been found in Europe and researchers are currently carrying out searches in southern England to see if it has arrived here yet. The mosquito is larger than most – up to 1cm long – and bites in the day, rather than just in the evening. In some parts of the world, the mosquito – so named because of its stripes – carries viruses for yellow fever and dengue fever. Experts are worried when it arrives in Britain it may bring with it the Chikungunya virus, which is similar to dengue fever, and causes fever, intense headaches, joint pains and insomnia and, in severe cases, death.
Dr Beth Purse, from the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology and one of the study’s authors, said: “Some colleagues are out looking for the Asian tiger mosquito at the moment, to see if we have it yet. We know there are populations reasonably close by, in France, so it seems only a matter of time before it does become established here.”
Another insect expected to arrive in Britain soon is the Sand fly (Phlebotomus mascittii) whose bites can cause rashes and can transmit the flesh eating disease Leishmaniasis. Ben Fogle, the television presenter and columnist for The Sunday Telegraph, suffered from a strain of the disease after he was bitten by a sand fly while filming in Peru last year. He was left with a painful, inch-wide hole in his forearm. He has just received the all-clear after needing a second round of intensive treatment to kill the bug. He will need regular monitoring from doctors to ensure it does not return.
EDIT
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/environment/climatechange/5463255/Nine-alien-insects-to-cause-pain-illness-and-even-death-in-Britain-as-climate-warms-up.html
Printer-friendly format
Email this thread to a friend
Bookmark this thread
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
