Mosquito threat to Europe from imported plants

Nov 21 2005

Some experts believe that the importation of tropical plants into Europe may pose a disease risk to European countries because the plants harbour deadly mosquitos which carry the threat of exotic diseases.

In a newly published report, it is suggested that the Asian tiger mosquito, which has apparently been spotted in the Netherlands, can transmit up to 23 infections including West Nile virus and dengue fever.

It appears the insects were found in imported bamboo in a greenhouse, hence creating the possibility that tropical plants brought from warmer climes may pose a disease risk to European countries with cooler climates.

Despite reported sightings of the tiger mosquito in the UK, the Chartered Institute for Environmental Health (CIEH) said no cases have actually been confirmed.

The concern has led to a monitoring exercise, called Mosquito Watch, to be set up in the UK to investigate possible sightings of exotic species.

The CIEH, says there is no credible evidence which suggests that these sorts of disease-bearing insects would colonise in the UK because of the climate.

A bamboo shipment from south-east China was being inspected for fungus by the Dutch Plant Sanitary Inspection Service, when a swarm of tiger mosquitos apparently attacked an inspector.

The Dutch sighting is the furthest north in Europe that the insect had ever been found.

There is at present no legislation in the Netherlands or elsewhere in the European Union requiring tiger mosquitos to be monitored.

The Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, say that the EU could be at risk from unwanted mosquito incursions and the diseases they carry, so tougher laws may be needed.

The report is published in the magazine Chemistry and Industry.