‘Do not scratch’ is the advice of the Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Department to anyone who has been bitten by the Asian Tiger Mosquito, first detected over the past months in the Maltese Islands.

Heavier concentrations of mosquitoes is part and parcel of the hot summer months, but in the past months the presence of a different, more irritant and potentially more serious species, the Asian Tiger Mosquito, has been noted.

A spokesman for the department stressed the importance of avoiding scratching, but said that if the itching persists, an antihistamine cream can be used. The department pointed out that no antibiotics are needed.

Recent reports of the Asian Tiger Mosquito (Aedes Albopictus), which has a nastier bite than the normal mosquitoes, which leaves an irritating welt that can last days, and which can potentially be a carrier of disease, have reached this newspaper.

The mosquito is identifiable by its small black and white striped body, about ¼ inch long, and its black and white striped legs, from which it gets its name. First reports of sightings of the Asian Tiger Mosquito were made last September.

Since then the Health Ministry has appointed a committee to monitor any reappearance of the mosquito, and look out for possible outbreaks.

The department spokesman pointed out that the risk of disease transmission is very small, as to date Malta does not have a disease pool from which the mosquitoes can transmit infection.

As this particular mosquito bites mainly during the daylight hours, it is recommended that people wear appropriate clothing covering as much of the body as possible in areas where the mosquito might be present.

The department also said that the commercial products available on the market, which are effective against other mosquitoes, are also usually effective against this particular species.

Another suggestion is to use insect repellents when staying outdoors, and the department suggested that the best ones are those which contain extracts of the DEET plant.

When it comes to the house, the suggestion is to attach insect screens to windows and doors and use fans, as mosquitoes are weak fliers and the strong draught a fan produces will prevent them flying.

The spokesman said the symptoms should remain limited to local irritation, but if one develops fever with rash, joint pains, headache, fatigue, nausea or vomiting, medical attention should be sought.

In order to control the number, the department suggests the removal of all sources of open water containers, or covering them, since the female typically lays her eggs near water, and keeping pools and children’s wading pools empty when not in use.

The department said they have received calls about these mosquitoes, and said people who catch them are invited to contact them on 2326 6000 / 2133 2235 or send an email on [email protected] so that the mosquito will be passed on to be verified by an entomologist.