Rising temperatures will bring mosquitoes with new viruses

The heat that it does in summer causes not only that there are more mosquitoes since from 28 degrees they are capable of increasing their reproduction but also, with each degree more of temperature, their life cycle increases by 50%, so they suppose a risk if we take into account that some species of mosquitoes can transmit really serious diseases and that is what has been analyzed now: how the increase in temperatures will bring mosquitoes with new viruses. The increase in temperatures will bring mosquitoes with new The West Nile virus is the best known (and feared) virus of all those transmitted by mosquito bites and, to date, there are no vaccines. Most people are asymptomatic, but in some cases it can also cause serious neurological conditions.Scientists from the United Kingdom CEH, BioS in Scotland and the University of Glasgow have developed a new model to determine the risk of a West Nile virus outbreak in the United Kingdom. In their study they have discovered that the risk, limited for now, will increase in the coming decades with increasing temperatures, and that is why knowing if the disease will affect or when it will affect new areas and populations is of fundamental importance. In the UK, the Culex pipiens mosquito is already present and it is this mosquito that has the ability to transmit the infection and potentially cause relapses in humans. The problem is not just in the UK. In fact, our country has already warned of the risk that the West Nile virus becomes endemic and there have also been outbreaks in Italy or Germany, which causes a real risk for all of Europe.According to the study model, the risk will increase steadily, allowing future outbreaks. In this way, the growth possibilities of an outbreak increase substantially if the hot season, with the presence of mosquito bites, is prolonged or if new viral strains are introduced, which replicate at a faster rate than those already studied. If the danger is minimal for now, it is still necessary to study measures to prepare for future epidemics, and the model examined could also be suitable for examining other viruses, diseases or other species of mosquitoes or insects. The research, published in the Journal of the Royal Society Interface, can also allow doctors and healthcare facilities to be aware of symptoms, tests and who will be most at risk of becoming seriously ill.