INTRODUCTION: The presence of Aedes albopictus was detected in Spain in 2004 and it has now become fully established, causing significant discomfort among the population in the affected areas. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of the arrival of A albopictus and its subsequent establishment on the population a year after being detected in Spain. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A survey questioned 309 users of the Valldoreix-Sant Cugat Healthcare Center about their knowledge of Aedes albopictus, the characteristics of bites by this insect, and their attitude to prevention and treatment. RESULTS: Ninety one percent of respondents knew about the tiger mosquito. Sixty-one percent (66 % of women and 53 % of men) had reported suffering bites attributed to this insect. The most common type of bite was a small swelling (78 %) and the most common site was the legs (93 %). Children had a greater number of lesions and a more generalized distribution. Blistering lesions were more frequent in women. Itching was very intense (65 %), particularly in women (71 %) and children (76 %). The majority of patients (80 %) did not seek attention from their health care services and 36 % consulted their pharmacist. Fifty percent (61 % of women and 47 % of men) treated their bites, mainly with topical corticosteroids (56 %) and antihistaminics (26 %). Forty-six percent of respondents mainly children reported use of insect repellents. CONCLUSION: The arrival of the Asian tiger mosquito has had a major impact on the population, with a lower quality of life and a deterioration in skin health, due to the numerous and irritating bites.
INTRODUCTION: The presence of Aedes albopictus was detected in Spain in 2004 and it has now become fully established, causing significant discomfort among the population in the affected areas. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of the arrival of A albopictus and its subsequent establishment on the population a year after being detected in Spain. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A survey questioned 309 users of the Valldoreix-Sant Cugat Healthcare Center about their knowledge of Aedes albopictus, the characteristics of bites by this insect, and their attitude to prevention and treatment. RESULTS: Ninety one percent of respondents knew about the tiger mosquito. Sixty-one percent (66 % of women and 53 % of men) had reported suffering bites attributed to this insect. The most common type of bite was a small swelling (78 %) and the most common site was the legs (93 %). Children had a greater number of lesions and a more generalized distribution. Blistering lesions were more frequent in women. Itching was very intense (65 %), particularly in women (71 %) and children (76 %). The majority of patients (80 %) did not seek attention from their health care services and 36 % consulted their pharmacist. Fifty percent (61 % of women and 47 % of men) treated their bites, mainly with topical corticosteroids (56 %) and antihistaminics (26 %). Forty-six percent of respondents mainly children reported use of insect repellents. CONCLUSION: The arrival of the Asian tiger mosquito has had a major impact on the population, with a lower quality of life and a deterioration in skin health, due to the numerous and irritating bites.
Authors: Francisco Collantes; Sarah Delacour; Pedro María Alarcón-Elbal; Ignacio Ruiz-Arrondo; Juan Antonio Delgado; Antonio Torrell-Sorio; Mikel Bengoa; Roger Eritja; Miguel Ángel Miranda; Ricardo Molina; Javier Lucientes Journal: Parasit Vectors Date: 2015-12-23 Impact factor: 3.876
Authors: Yara A Halasa; Donald S Shepard; Dina M Fonseca; Ary Farajollahi; Sean Healy; Randy Gaugler; Kristen Bartlett-Healy; Daniel A Strickman; Gary G Clark Journal: PLoS One Date: 2014-03-06 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Donald S Shepard; Yara A Halasa; Dina M Fonseca; Ary Farajollahi; Sean P Healy; Randy Gaugler; Kristen Bartlett-Healy; Daniel A Strickman; Gary G Clark Journal: PLoS One Date: 2014-10-22 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Pedro María Alarcón-Elbal; Sarah Delacour Estrella; Ignacio Ruiz Arrondo; Francisco Collantes; Juan Antonio Delgado Iniesta; José Morales-Bueno; Pedro Francisco Sánchez-López; Carmen Amela; María José Sierra-Moros; Ricardo Molina; Javier Lucientes Journal: Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz Date: 2014-09-09 Impact factor: 2.743