Following the weather phenomenon Daniel and the potential increase of flood mosquitoes in the following period in the areas that received the largest volume of water from the extensive rainfalls eg Thessaly, Pieria, Dr Spiros Mourelatos was asked to answer key questions about the effects of the floods.
“In Central Macedonia, we did not have particularly intense rainfall. The flooding phenomena that we faced in other regions such as Thessaly, Pieria and Attica did not occur. For example, it is very likely that Thessaly will have an impact. But this will happen if high temperatures are noted, i.e. 20-30 degrees. Mosquitoes thrive in them. We will see in this case flooding mosquitoes. These are spawned in wetlands and rice paddies by mass and synchronous hatchings and large movements. They create nuisance problems at sunset. In general, we will see how the situation will develop in the next 15 days”, noted Mr. Mourelatos in TyposThes, adding that “mosquitoes have their own rules” and that in the past “mosquitoes have been lucky to circulate in October as well”.
Asked about the risk of West Nile Virus, he clarified that flood mosquitoes are not dangerous for disease. He added that the low temperatures of the previous days will be particularly useful. “We had a lake of cold, for days there were low temperatures and this will give us time if we will have a development of the West Nile virus infection. We currently know that in areas that have experienced heavy rainfall there will be mosquito nuisance, but no disease transmission. And when we say heavy rainfall we mean over 100 millimeters per week. In Thessaly, it poured 750 millimeters of water in three days. This volume is huge.”
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