Invasive Japanese bush mosquito established in Czech Republic

The Japanese bush mosquito has become a permanent presence in the Czech Republic, the National Institute of Public Health (SZÚ) announced. The invasive species, Aedes japonicus, is capable of transmitting viral diseases such as West Nile fever, dengue, and chikungunya. According to scientists  the mosquito does not pose an immediate threat to the public, but the situation could change in the future. The species was first reported in Europe in the year 2000 and detected in the Czech Republic in 2021. Since then, it has spread quickly and was found this year in about half of the more than 60 monitored locations across the country.