Mosquito Problem in Europe?

[realnice46]

Just received email mosquito’s on our upcoming France, Italy, Greek cruise departing Barcelona. We’ve done many similar itineraries and never received an email like this. Is anyone aware of a particular problem with certain European countries? If so which ones? I always pack repellant on any trip we do but have never had to use it except in Yosemite. Did anyone receive this email as related to their upcoming cruise. 

[Panhandle Couple]

Just now, realnice46 said:

Just received email mosquito’s on our upcoming France, Italy, Greek cruise departing Barcelona. We’ve done many similar itineraries and never received an email like this. Is anyone aware of a particular problem with certain European countries? If so which ones? I always pack repellant on any trip we do but have never had to use it except in Yosemite. Did anyone receive this email as related to their upcoming cruise. 

Yes,

also wondering why I got it for a Euro cruise, and not our PC cruise last December.

 

[Travelling2Some]

I got it too.  The information could be a tad more specific, lol.  "Europe" is a pretty big place and they are not really telling us what the real problem is.  Big surprise there, of course, lol. 

 

Historically, the only place I remember being very prone to mosquitos on previous trips was Florence.  Screens never really caught on in Europe though, so if you are staying at a B&B or charming inn, that is good to know.

[Catchum]

When my DH from Alaska moved to England and saw there were no screens on the windows he was sure he would be eaten alive. Now the lack of bugs is one of the things he enjoys most about living in Europe. 

 

In all our many years of travel in Europe we have twice come home bitten, but only one of us on each occassion. Once in Italy once in Spain. 

 

The only place I would say has a problem is Scotland where the midges can be evil. 

 

Even if you get bitten it is just a bit ugly and itchy- not like Australia where everything is poisonous (except the wine of course)

 

Edited May 10 by Catchum

[SeaHunt]

I don't know if this info from June 2023 is still pertinent re any figures as of today (cases mentioned are from 2022), but might explain the thinking a little 🙃:

 

"Europe is experiencing a warming trend where heat waves and flooding are becoming more frequent and severe, and summers are getting longer and warmer. This creates more favourable conditions for invasive mosquito species such as Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti. Ten years ago, in 2013, the Aedes albopictus mosquito was established in 8 EU/EEA countries, with 114 regions being affected. Now in 2023, the mosquito is established in 13 countries and 337 regions."

 

<and>

 

 

"In 2022, 1 133 human cases and 92 deaths of West Nile virus infection were reported in the EU/EEA, of which 1 112 were locally acquired in 11 countries, the highest number of cases since the peak epidemic year in 2018. Locally acquired cases were reported by Italy (723), Greece (286), Romania (47), Germany (16), Hungary (14), Croatia (8), Austria (6), France (6), Spain (4), Slovakia (1) and Bulgaria (1).

 

In 2022, 71 cases of locally acquired dengue were recorded in mainland EU/EEA, which is equivalent to the total number of cases reported between 2010 and 2021. Locally acquired dengue cases were reported by France (65 cases) and Spain (6 cases)."

 

https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/news-events/increasing-risk-mosquito-borne-diseases-eueea-following-spread-aedes-species

 

 

[Kayak25]

There have always been mosquitoes in Europe. Eaten alive on a campsite near Venice one year. Bitten by various things in Switzerland, and most other countries in Europe including Slovenia and Croatia. Some of the worst mosquito bites I had were when two three of the little things got trapped in my caravan near Calais. the next morning I got my own back on them and saw all the blood they had taken from me during the night!

I also got the email as I'm on a cruise from Trieste to Trieste in June and was wondering if some of the mosquitoes are now carrying some of the nastier things that some carry, though I have not heard anything. The big thing at the moment in Europe and the UK is the  increasing number of ticks. 

[Kayak25]

4 minutes ago, SeaHunt said:

I don't know if this info from June 2023 is still pertinent re any figures as of today (cases mentioned are from 2022), but might explain the thinking a little 🙃:

 

"Europe is experiencing a warming trend where heat waves and flooding are becoming more frequent and severe, and summers are getting longer and warmer. This creates more favourable conditions for invasive mosquito species such as Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti. Ten years ago, in 2013, the Aedes albopictus mosquito was established in 8 EU/EEA countries, with 114 regions being affected. Now in 2023, the mosquito is established in 13 countries and 337 regions."

 

<and>

 

 

"In 2022, 1 133 human cases and 92 deaths of West Nile virus infection were reported in the EU/EEA, of which 1 112 were locally acquired in 11 countries, the highest number of cases since the peak epidemic year in 2018. Locally acquired cases were reported by Italy (723), Greece (286), Romania (47), Germany (16), Hungary (14), Croatia (8), Austria (6), France (6), Spain (4), Slovakia (1) and Bulgaria (1).

 

In 2022, 71 cases of locally acquired dengue were recorded in mainland EU/EEA, which is equivalent to the total number of cases reported between 2010 and 2021. Locally acquired dengue cases were reported by France (65 cases) and Spain (6 cases)."

 

https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/news-events/increasing-risk-mosquito-borne-diseases-eueea-following-spread-aedes-species

 

 

Well that's interesting reading, yet another sign of climate change.

[schmoopie17]

NCL is just being proactive to avoid being blamed by certain people who will get bitten and then complain about it on CC. Usually with the heading...

 

"I'll never cruise with NCL again"..."they didn't protect me from mosquitoes...damn NCL. Not only is that company a bunch of bloodsuckers, they have mosquitoes doing their bidding."

 

Edited May 10 by schmoopie17

[Brian V]

4 hours ago, schmoopie17 said:

Not only is that company a bunch of bloodsuckers, they have mosquitoes doing their bidding."

 

Don't give them any ideas 😲

[erisajd]

The countries and areas closest to Africa [and Venice oddly enough] do have skeeters with malaria. . . .

[realnice46]

On 5/10/2024 at 4:31 PM, Brian V said:

 

Don't give them any ideas 😲

 

On 5/10/2024 at 4:31 PM, Brian V said:

 

Don't give them any ideas 😲

Love it!

[JennKach]

We were in Venice last week and did get about 8 bites each while sleeping with the window open.  Our room smelled like sewage and deodorizer and we couldn’t take it anymore.

[Fruitpunch76]

I am living in Europe and I also received the NCL "mosquito mail"...I was quite puzzled and thought "Seriously?? 😱 Is it soooo bad here!?!"😜

By the way the airline of my choice used to give me the same advice when I travel to Florida.😄

I can just recommend to all of us cruisers to relax. There are no mosquitoes on cruise ships. There can be some in the warm months of the years - mostly in southern European countries - but they only become a problem if you go camping or if you stay in a hotel and open the windows overnight. Better keep them closed!

Walking and visiting a city during the day is NOT a problem. If I walk in an Italian city during the night I prefer light clothes that cover my legs and arms....but I am the person that a l w a y s gets bitten (one or two bites) ....my husband never.

Bring a cortisone ointment against the itching - that is all you may need. Anyway cruisers usually are onboard during the night unless they have not run the pier too slowly....😜😃

 

HAPPY CRUISING!😊

[Manchester is blue]

I live in Europe, have done so all my life. Ive taken holidays throughout the continent over many years. I can’t recall ever being troubled by mosquitoes and would suggest to others that they needn’t have any concerns when visiting . 

Edited 3 hours ago by Manchester is blue

[schmoopie17]

I have an itch to get back to Europe.

 

We're going in September.

 

Proof that I can itch without mosquitoes. And if they're there, what's a little extra itching?