Andorra Launches Tiger Mosquito Awareness Campaign with Leaflets and Social Media

The Andorran government, together with the parishes and Andorra Recerca + Innovació (AR+I), has launched an awareness campaign this week to guide residents on practical steps to curb tiger mosquito proliferation as warmer weather arrives.

The initiative features the distribution of informational leaflets across the country and targeted messaging on social media by all participating organisations. Officials emphasise the need for both individual and collective action, particularly in private spaces such as balconies, terraces, gardens and allotments. The mosquito thrives in small stagnant water sources like saucers under plant pots, buckets or tyres, but does not breed in flowing water or large bodies. They also recommend clearing leaves from drains and gullies to eliminate potential egg-laying sites.

Health risks include frequent, irritating bites and the insect's ability to transmit viruses causing dengue, chikungunya and Zika, although no local cases have occurred. The species' presence in Andorra was first confirmed through AR+I's 2025 study on mosquitoes and vector insects, carried out during summer and autumn. Its findings, published in a scientific journal, noted consistent detections of eggs, larvae and adults, mainly in Sant Julià de Lòria, Andorra la Vella and Escaldes-Engordany. Sampling in October revealed cold-resistant eggs, indicating the mosquito's capacity to overwinter locally.

The campaign follows the most recent meeting of the Interministerial Commission "One Health", proposed by the Health and Environment, Agriculture and Livestock ministries, with contributions from AR+I and the parishes. Authorities stress that public participation remains crucial to containing spread in urban zones.