The lingering and often irritating bite of the Asian Tiger mosquito is again something to contend with, as the weather warms up and the mosquito comes out of hiding.

Trouble with the Asian Tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus), which was first detected in the Maltese Islands last summer, had slowed down over the winter, but reports of it having re-emerged have reached this newspaper.

The fact is that some mosquitoes opt to spend the winter hibernating; hiding out in tree holes, cellars or anywhere they can get out of the wind, but they then come out again in the summer.

The Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Department last year advised people who were bitten by this mosquito not to scratch the itchy area where they were bitten, and suggested that should the itching persist, an antihistamine cream can be used.

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. It is native to the tropical areas of South East Asia, but has since migrated to several other countries.

Besides the irritating welt it leaves behind, which can last days, it can also be a carrier of over 30 viruses, although not all of these strike humans, and potentially fatal human diseases such as dengue fever.

However a spokesperson for the department told this newspaper last summer 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.

Methods of preventing these nasty bites include wearing 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.

Insect repellent when staying outdoors is another good idea, and the department had said that the best ones are those containing extracts of the DEET plant.

When indoors, 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 from flying.

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.