More tiger mosquito sightings reported in Belgium

Sightings of tiger mosquitoes in Belgium have been on the rise, with three locations reported and confirmed in May and June of this year, according to the Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM) and Sciensano.

The first sightings of the summer season occurred earlier than last year, said Sciensano researcher Marie Hermy.

“Last year, the first tiger mosquito was spotted in mid-July,” said Hermy. “Mosquitoes can travel with returning holidaymakers.”

More than 600 reports have already been received this summer on the surveillancemoustiques.be platform, where anyone can upload photos if they think they have spotted a tiger mosquito.

Further analysis of the reports and images by the ITM and Sciensano determined that three cases were indeed tiger mosquitoes, found in Saint-Josse-ten-Noode in Brussels, Verviers in the province of Liège and in Leuven in Flemish Brabant (where sightings also occurred last year).

An estimated 18 sites were reported by 2023, and surveillance measures identified a further seven. When a case is confirmed, the ITM goes to the location and searches for mosquitoes within a radius of 100 metres.

Tiger mosquitos breed in small pools of stagnant water, such as flower pots or abandoned tyres. They are not found in natural stagnant water such as ponds.

The mosquitoes can transmit viruses such as dengue fever, chikungunya and zika.

While no cases of illness following a tiger mosquito bite have yet been recorded in Belgium, South America, among other regions, is currently experiencing a major dengue epidemic.

According to Sciensano, this also results in more Belgians returning from holidays with an illness than last year.