Spring, sun, temperatures that probably cause us euphoria after winter, nature that awakens and a setting that challenges us for excursions and family, (and not only), excursions to the mountains and the sea.
The whole of nature is regenerating and along with the trees, flowers and birds, the "rebirth" of all insects, hymenoptera and arthropods, more simply mosquitoes, fleas, ticks, etc., is in full development at this time, which if we are not careful may lead us to small unpleasant adventures or to the development of serious symptoms of infectious diseases caused by the germs and viruses they carry with them.
In fact, according to scientists, an insect, as it has been found, can carry with it (be a transmitter/carrier) more than one microbe.
"Vectors/vectors are defined as either insects or, more generally, arthropods that carry pathogenic microorganisms (viruses, bacteria or protozoa) from one infected person or animal to another, healthy human or animal," explained the director of the Infectious Diseases Department of the German Medical Institute, Nikolaos Spirovasilis.
Bacteria and viruses can be transmitted through stinging, by hymenoptera (e.g. mosquitoes, fleas, etc.), or by bite, by arthropods of another category, such as ticks (the well-known ticks).
"And each region of the planet, depending on its wider environment and the vectors it includes, presents a risk of transmission of only specific pathogens," said Mr. Spernovassilis and analyzed the risks they may face in Cyprus.
"In Cyprus, this risk is currently mainly related to West Nile virus, ricketsios and leishmaniasis, in the transmission of which mosquitoes, ticks, fleas or midges are involved, depending on the pathogen. At the mercy of Climate Change, of course, this risk may concern other pathogens in the future."
The dangers of mosquitoes
As far as mosquitoes are concerned, "on our island there are many different species, each of which can carry one or more different microorganisms".
"The pathogen for which there are indications of remarkable circulation in Cyprus, as well as related cases of disease, is the West Nile virus, which is mainly transmitted through mosquitoes of the genus Culex."
About 20% of people who will contract the virus through a mosquito bite, "will experience symptoms, which are mostly mild and self-limiting and include fever, headache, malaise and myalgias".
Less than 1% of affected people "will develop a neurological disease due to the virus in the form of either meningitis (mainly children) or encephalitis (mainly the elderly) with or without loose paralysis, while there is no specific treatment, only supportive".
Ticks and Mediterranean Spotted Fever
As far as ticks are concerned, ticks "can also carry one or more microorganisms that they can transmit with their bite (bite)".
In Cyprus, "the tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus, (brown dog tick), is of interest, which sometimes carries the rickettsia that is responsible for Mediterranean Spotted Fever".
Rickettians are generally very small bacteria "with characteristics that are most commonly found in viruses".
Mediterranean Spotted Fever "is a disease endemic to the Mediterranean basin area, and when it occurs it is characterized by a febrile, transient skin rash and a black scab in the bite area."
In addition, "arthralgia, myalgia and headache may coexist. It is usually a self-limiting disease, but there is also a specific antibiotic treatment for the disease."
Fleas and Endemic Typhus
Another rickettsia, which is mainly transmitted by the flea Ctenocephalides felis (cat flea), "is the one that causes Endemic Typhus (and which should not be confused even by doctors with Epidemic Typhus or Typhoid Fever, serious diseases with which it is not related)".
The symptomatology of Endemic Typhus "is similar to that of Mediterranean Spotted Fever, with identical treatment".
Gnats and Leishmaniasis
Gnats can also act as vectors of infectious diseases.
In Cyprus, "Phlebotomos, a species of gnat, is circulating, the female of which can transmit the protozoan of Leishmaniasis to humans, mainly from dogs.
Leishmaniasis "is a severe disease and occurs in 3 forms (depending on the species of the protozoa): visceral, cutaneous, and mucocutaneous, with the first two also found in Cyprus. In this case, there are specific treatments for each of the above forms."
Difficult diagnosis and recommendations for protection measures
A common feature of all these infections is the difficulty in diagnosis.
As Mr. Spernovassilis explained, "their diagnosis is not an easy process and requires an approach by an experienced clinician and the performance of specific diagnostic tests by specialized laboratories."
"It should also be emphasized that only a small minority of insect bites or arthropod bites lead to these diseases, while more often they lead to local non-infectious inflammatory reactions with redness of the skin and swelling, which are not related to the aforementioned."
Simply put, only a small percentage of insect or arthropod bites cause these diseases. In most cases, only a local reaction occurs on the skin, such as redness or swelling, which is not related to infection."
Concluding, Mr. Spirovassilis stressed that "taking antibiotics as a precaution is not recommended in the vast majority of the above cases, and local care at the points of bite or bite and the removal of any foreign remaining material from the transmitter (this mainly concerns ticks) material is sufficient".
Protection measures
"However, preventive measures to avoid contact with insects and arthropods are of paramount importance."
On an individual level, it is recommended:
– During outdoor activities, appropriate clothing with light-colored, loose-fitting clothing that covers as much of the body as possible.
– The use of approved body or space insect repellents.
– The care of the grass in the homes.
– The avoidance of areas of increased concentration of insects (e.g. stagnant water).
– Ensuring the proper hygiene of companion animals.
"At the level of Public Health measures, the Republic of Cyprus implements information actions (to raise public awareness), surveillance (by placing special traps to monitor the mosquito population and the type of pathogens they carry) as well as civic programs with systematic spraying in wells, streams and marshes."
