Overview

• The Asian tiger mosquito, a known carrier of dengue, chikungunya, and Zika viruses, has been established in Berlin since 2021 and was detected in Franconia's Main-Spessart region in 2024.
• Health departments in Berlin and Main-Spessart have launched seasonal campaigns urging residents to eliminate small water reservoirs, such as plant saucers and rain gutters, which serve as mosquito breeding grounds.
• Authorities are requesting public assistance in identifying and submitting mosquito samples for laboratory confirmation to track the insect's spread and prevent permanent settlement.
• The mosquito’s northward expansion in Europe is driven by climate change, international travel, and trade, with German monitoring programs scaling up controls at transport hubs and sensitive sites.
• Protective measures recommended include wearing long, light clothing, using mosquito repellents, installing window screens, and regularly cleaning outdoor water containers.