MSGID: 1:317/3 649e5a7b   
   PID: hpt/lnx 1.9.0-cur 2019-01-08   
   TID: hpt/lnx 1.9.0-cur 2019-01-08   
   species now at 44    
    The mosquito species Culex modestus has been found in Finland for the   
   first time. In Southern Europe it is known to spread West Nile virus, but it is   
   highly unlikely for the disease to occur in Finland    
      
     Date:   
         June 29, 2023   
     Source:   
         University of Helsinki   
     Summary:   
         The mosquito species Culex modestus has been found in Finland for   
         the first time. In Southern Europe it is known to spread West   
         Nile virus, but it is highly unlikely for the disease to occur   
         in Finland. Culex modestus has become the 44th mosquito species   
         found in Finland, and the northernmost record of the species in   
         Europe. The previous findings closest to Finland, but further south,   
         have been made in the Leningrad Province in Russia and in Skaane   
         in Sweden.   
      
      
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   FULL STORY   
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   A species of mosquito not previously recorded from Finland has been   
   discovered in the coastal municipality of Pori. Culex modestus has become   
   the 44th mosquito species found in Finland, and the northernmost record   
   of the species in Europe. The previous findings closest to Finland,   
   but further south, have been made in the Leningrad Province in Russia   
   and in Skaane in Sweden.   
      
   The discovery was made by researcher Lorna Culverwell from the Department   
   of Virology at the University of Helsinki. The new species was found   
   amongst mosquito samples collected by Culverwell in summer 2022 in   
   the coastal areas of Finland. One male specimen was identified after   
   examining the genitalia and performing a DNA analysis.   
      
   "Only one specimen of this species was found, but I believe it to be   
   unlikely that it would be the only one of its species in Finland,"   
   says Culverwell.   
      
   No risk of infection in Finland According to Culverwell, this discovery is   
   an important addition to the mosquitoes recorded from Finland. Up-to-date   
   knowledge about the different mosquito species and their distributions   
   increases our understanding of which, if any, potential pathogens   
   (e.g. viruses or parasites), the mosquitoes could spread now or in   
   the future.   
      
   Culex modestus is known to spread West Nile virus, a flavivirus, in   
   southern Europe, between birds and humans or birds and horses. In most   
   human cases West Nile virus causes a mild infection with symptoms such   
   as fever, headache and muscle pain. In some cases the virus may cause   
   neurological disease. For now, West Nile virus has not been discovered   
   in Finland.   
      
   "Finns shouldn't be concerned about this mosquito discovery at this   
   point. To date, no infections acquired in Finland have been discovered in   
   humans or horses, but this finding is a reminder that we should be aware   
   of which mosquito species are here. Knowing potential mosquito-borne   
   diseases that these species are linked to elsewhere in the world helps   
   us to better investigate how likely it would be for these infections to   
   occur in the future," says Culverwell.   
      
   Warming climate increases the need for insect information Several   
   mosquitoes in genus Culex maintain West Nile virus in bird populations,   
   including Culex pipiens and Culex modestus. For transmission to humans to   
   occur, usually a mosquito would first have to bite a bird carrying the   
   virus, wait several days for the virus to enter their saliva, and then   
   bite a human when they are infected. Sometimes the virus is inherited   
   from female mosquitoes via their eggs.   
      
   "At present it is very unlikely for transmission of the virus to humans   
   or horses as several species are required for a disease transmission   
   cycle to occur. Firstly, there would need to be West Nile virus already   
   present in the local or migratory birds in Finland. No virus has so far   
   been reported, despite small scale screening of birds at some sites in   
   Finland. Secondly, only one specimen of Culex modestus is so far known   
   from one location in Finland. For transmission to occur, larger numbers   
   of mosquitoes would be needed for the possibility of some of them to   
   meet any infected birds, and then survive to bite any humans or horses   
   several days afterwards," says Culverwell.   
      
   Culverwell has collected more than 111,000 mosquito samples in Finland   
   since 2012. According to her, it is uncertain how long Culex modestus   
   has potentially occurred in Finland. It is also still unknown whether   
   the area of discovery has a more established population of Culex modestus   
   mosquitoes.   
      
   According to Culverwell, further research is now required on both bird   
   and mosquito populations to assess both the short-term and long-term   
   impacts of the discovery.   
      
   "A solid foundation of mosquito research in Finland is important because   
   climate change will likely alter the number of mosquito species in the   
   longer- term. Some may die out, but the chance of species from further   
   south invading Finland will increase if the climate warms and winters   
   become milder. Several species from southern Europe are able to transmit   
   other disease-causing pathogens which are not yet found in Finland,   
   so research should be kept up to maintain an understanding of which   
   pathogens are found where, and whether they are a real or potential risk   
   to human or animal health."   
       * RELATED_TOPICS   
             o Plants_&_Animals   
                   # New_Species # Virology # Invasive_Species #   
                   Pests_and_Parasites   
             o Earth_&_Climate   
                   # Exotic_Species # Environmental_Awareness # Rainforests   
                   # Environmental_Policy   
       * RELATED_TERMS   
             o Taiga o West_Nile_virus o Mosquito o Malaria o Maple_tree   
             o Vector_(biology) o European_Rabbit o Gorilla   
      
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   Story Source: Materials provided by University_of_Helsinki. Note:   
   Content may be edited for style and length.   
      
      
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   Journal Reference:   
      1. C.L. Culverwell, O. Vapalahti. First record of Culex modestus   
      in Finland.   
      
         Journal of the European Mosquito Control Association, 2023; 1 DOI:   
         10.52004/JEMCA2023.0003   
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   Link to news story:   
   https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/06/230629125737.htm   
      
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