The tiger mosquito came to Sweden as eggs in plants bought in Spain. When the plants were then watered, the eggs hatched. The family that bought the plants then contacted SVA, which collected the mosquito larvae for examination. They turned out to be larvae that developed into tiger mosquitoes.
– Now, as far as we know, we have collected all individuals. So at the moment there is no cause for concern, says mosquito expert Anders Lindström at SVA to Aktuellt.
The mosquito has previously been discovered in, among other places, Germany and is now also found in the Netherlands and Belgium. The tiger mosquito is known to be spread by transport, for example it can be carried home in mobile homes after the holidays.
May cause deformities
It can spread dengue fever, which in some cases can cause high fever, and Zika fever, which has been linked to birth defects. However, the tiger mosquitoes are not automatically infected with disease-causing viruses. They must bite someone infected with the virus first.
The species is considered one of the most invasive mosquito species in the world and is spreading rapidly across Europe. In Paris this week, parts of the city were forced to be shut down to spray areas with insecticide against the tiger mosquito. On Thursday, residents in the southeastern parts of Paris were asked to stay indoors during the spraying, according to the AP news agency.
Anders Lindström believes that it is only a matter of time before the tiger mosquito becomes a problem in Sweden as well.
– It will establish itself in Sweden in the short term, I find it difficult to see that there is any way to stop it, he says in Aktuellt.