The Local Health Unit of Castelo Branco issued today an alert about the presence of the tiger mosquito in the municipality. This species is known to be a transmitter of diseases such as dengue, zika and chikungunya.
The tiger mosquito, whose scientific name is Aedes albopictus, is an invasive variety originating from Southeast Asia that has been spreading through various regions of the world, including Portugal.
Health authorities are warning the population about the need for precaution, recommending individual protection measures and the elimination of possible breeding grounds for the mosquito in homes and their surroundings.
This is the first official record of the presence of the tiger mosquito in the district of Castelo Branco, which represents a new public health concern for the region.
