Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1522634
4 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 16 JUNE 2024 NEWS FOR SALE QUAD BIKE BOMBARDIER 650CC (2006). My black and yellow beautiful almost immaculate, always serviced quad is, with a heavy heart for sale. She is licensed till October 2024 and road ready. It's now time for someone else to enjoy. Annual road is €259. Asking price is €4500. Call or WhatsApp on 79990807. LETTER OF INTENTION Alexandre Bouaziz and Philippe Bouaziz, Directors of APMAL Ltd, declare their intention for the company to register for an Employment Agency licence, as a temporary employment agency in accordance with the Employment Agencies Regulations (L.N. 270 of 2023). The activities proposed to be carried out are the following: 1) Acting as the HR Consultant for international and local clients in the capacity of a temporary employment agency; and 2) Employment under APMAL Ltd of workers identified by the client and assigning such workers to the client on full-time basis in Malta or in an EU member state The Official registered Address of the company is situated at La Provvida, Karm Zerafa Street, Birkirkara, Malta. The Address of the Office from where the company operates is situated at: La Provvida, Karm Zerafa Street, Birkirkara, Malta. Company Registration Number: C 101713 Rising heat spreading mosquito- borne diseases across Europe DATA collected by the Europe- an Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has revealed a continuing upward trend within the European Union of a number of cases of dengue, imported from dengue-endemic regions, as well as an increasing number of local outbreaks of West Nile virus in- fections. Dengue (break-bone fever) is a viral infection that spreads from mosquitoes to people. It is more common in tropical and subtrop- ical climates. Most people who get dengue will not have symp- toms. But for those who do, the most common symptoms are high fever, headache, body aches, nausea, and rash. In 2023, there were 130 locally acquired cases of dengue reported in the EU/EEA, and 71 cases were reported in 2022 – a significant increase compared to the ten-year period 2010-2021, where the total number of locally acquired cases was 73 for the whole period. Imported cases are also on the rise with 1,572 reported cases in 2022 and over 4,900 cases in 2023. This is the highest number of imported dengue cases report- ed since the start of the surveil- lance at the EU level in 2008. In the first months of 2024, several countries have reported substantial increases in number of imported dengue cases, which could suggest that the numbers in 2024 might become even higher. "Europe is already seeing how climate change is creating more favourable conditions for inva- sive mosquitos to spread into previously unaffected areas and infect more people with diseases such as dengue," said ECDC di- rector Andrea Ammon. "Increased international travel from dengue-endemic countries will also increase the risk of im- ported cases, and inevitably also the risk of local outbreaks. "Personal protective measures combined with vector control measures, early detection of cas- es, timely surveillance, further research and awareness-raising activities are paramount in those areas in Europe most at risk." As of 2024, Aedes albopictus is established in Austria, Bulgar- ia, Croatia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, and Spain, and it is introduced in Bel- gium, Cyprus, Czechia, the Neth- erlands and Slovakia. Aedes albopictus, known for transmitting dengue, chikungun- ya, and Zika viruses, is spreading further north, east, and west in Europe, and now has self-sustain- ing populations across 13 EU/ EEA countries. Aedes aegypti, a vector of yel- low fever, dengue, chikungunya, and Zika viruses recently estab- lished itself in Cyprus. Its poten- tial for establishment in other parts of Europe is concerning due to its significant ability to trans- mit pathogens and its preference for biting humans. It is widely anticipated that cli- mate change will largely impact the spread of mosquito-borne diseases in Europe, for instance, through the creation of environ- mental conditions favourable for the establishment and growth of mosquito populations. In 2024, a confirmed locally acquired human case of West Nile virus infection with onset of symptoms at the beginning of March was reported in Seville, Spain. Although an isolated case, it highlights that the transmis- sion of West Nile virus can occur very early in the year, likely due to suitable climatic conditions. The ECDC said that simple measures such as removing stag- nant water in gardens or bal- conies where mosquitos breed should be advertised to the pop- ulation. Personal protective measures to reduce the risk of mosquito bites include the wearing of clothes that cover most of the body, the use of mosquito repellent, the use of mosquito bed nets or window/ door screens and sleeping or rest- ing in air-conditioned rooms. "For these to be widely applied, effective awareness-raising cam- paigns among the general public are essential," the ECDC said. "Enhanced surveillance and ear- ly detection of travel-related and locally acquired cases of mos- quito-borne diseases remain es- sential to implement timely and appropriate vector and disease control measures." Since 2010, which is when the first recent dengue outbreak was recorded, 48 vector-borne den- gue outbreaks have occurred. Between 2010 and 2017, there were up to 3 outbreaks per year, 5 outbreaks in 2018, 7 in 2020, 10 outbreaks in 2022, and the peak was observed last year in 2023, with 8 outbreaks in France, 4 in Italy and 2 in Spain. MATTHEW VELLA mvella@mediatoday.com.mt