MOZZIE INVASION
Brits in Ibiza plagued by ultra-aggressive Asian Tiger mosquitoes FOUR times bigger than normal
by Christy Cooney
BRITS in Ibiza have been hit by an invasion of Asian tiger mosquitoes four times bigger than normal.
Experts say the bugs have likely thrived since the closure of hotels and holiday villas amid the coronavirus lockdown meant many swimming pools being left untreated.
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The mosquitoes take 10 to 12 days to hatch, but when they do can be a particular nuisance to humans.
They typically emerge during the day, not just dawn and dusk, and are able to bite through clothing.
They can also carry diseases like Zika virus, West Nile virus, and dengue fever.
Spain has been one of the worst-hit countries during the coronavirus pandemic and was placed under a nationwide lockdown on March 14.
It has so far seen more than 280,000 cases of the virus and at least 28,752 people killed.
The lockdown has seen a blanket stop on visitors to Ibiza, usually a hotspot for tourists and partygoers, and many hotels and holiday villas left deserted.
That has meant swimming pools being left untreated to attract the mosquitoes, which prefer moister air.
The department for environmental management in Ibiza's council has now urged residents to make sure their pools are being purified.
It said that large number of untreated pools could lead to a "real public health problem".
TOURISM TO RESTART IN JULY
Ibiza is currently in the process of easing its lockdown, and Francina Armengol, head of the Balearic government, has said people will now be given more freedom to act responsibly as the economy is reopened.
“We have been able to advance quickly because we have moved forward with things done well," she said.
"And we have to carry on doing this responsibly."
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has said that the country will allow tourism to resume in July.
"Foreign tourists can start planning their holidays," he said.
"We guarantee that tourists will not be at risk and that they will not put us at risk.
"Health and business are not opposing factors.
"Spanish tourism will now have two new trademarks: ecological sustainability and health protection."
