Global Warming - Increase Of Arthropod Borne Infections In Germany

Besides many other negative effects, global warming has an influence also on infectious diseases particularly those transmitted by arthropods. Since a few years, new vectors of infectious diseases are found in Germany. The tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus), a vector of yellow fever, dengue fever and Chikungunya fever, has spread since its first detection 2008 and has established stable populations in Freiburg and Heidelberg. The Japanese bush mosquito (Aedes japonicus), a vector of Japanese encephalitis and West Nile fever has spread through the entire BRD since the first detection in Zuerich 2008. There is a danger of spreading of the West Nile fever as it has happened in the USA.An actual danger of import exists also in the case of the tick transmitted Mediterranian spotted fever as well as with Leishmaniasis and Sandfly fever, both transmitted by phlebotomes. Mediterranian spotted fever is a rickettsial disease (R. conorii), has a reservoir in dogs and is transmitted by the Dog brown tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus). Pathogens and ticks are being imported into Germany with dogs permanently. This is true also for Leishmaniasis whose prevalence in dogs may reach 70% in the Mediterranian area. The vectors phlebotomes are detected also in Southwest Germany since a few years. The existence of Sand fly virus transmitted by these vectors is proven by serological examinations.A latent danger are also local vectors. 2006 suddenly the Blue tongue virus appeared, which is transmitted by native midges. These are also vectors of the Schmallenberg virus, which appeared 2001 in Germany the first time. An increased control of arthropod borne infections by medical and veterinary authorities will be necessary in the future.