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4 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 23 JUNE 2024 NEWS maltatoday | SUNDAY • 16 JUNE 2024 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. of to a the following: and employment workers the state situated company Street, spreading mosquito- diseases across Europe surveil- 2024, reported number which numbers in higher. how more inva- into and diseases ECDC di- 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. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 At the time, many believed the decision to retain the dep- uty leadership post was in- tended to limit internal strife that could arise from a deputy leadership contest that kicks off in the middle of an elector- al campaign. But party sources who spoke to MaltaToday on condition of anonymity said Fearne has giv- en no hint that he will resign his post anytime soon. "The situation has left us in limbo because even at govern- ment level, there cannot be a deputy prime minister since the party statute says that it is the deputy leader for parlia- mentary affairs who has to be appointed deputy prime minis- ter," a source said. Another source privy to the internal discussions said many were uncomfortable to bring up the issue out of respect for Fearne. "Chris Fearne enjoys a lot of sympathy, which makes it very hard for anyone of the MPs to broach the subject even though everyone is aware that the case against him is likely to drag on for years, which would be detrimental to the party," a source said. Fearne has so far refrained from commenting publicly on the issue and when confronted by journalists outside Labour headquarters last week he sim- ply replied: "These are internal matters." Fearne had been earmarked to be Malta's nominee for Eu- ropean Commissioner but he withdrew his name when crim- inal charges were filed. The PL had been bracing it- self for a deputy leadership race with a handful of minis- ters having sounded out del- egates. But uncertainty over Fearne's future has left every- one in the lurch. "The Prime Minister also has his hands tied on the mat- ter having been the one to insist that Chris Fearne stay put when the criminal charg- es were filed in the belief that the case against Fearne would be dismissed early," another source said. Statute change for deputy leader party affairs Meanwhile, there are calls within the Labour Party for a change in statute to allow MPs to contest the deputy leader- ship role that will be vacated shortly by Daniel Micallef. The party statute bars MPs from contesting the role of deputy leader party affairs but with Micallef on his way out, party functionaries are clam- ouring for the limitation to be removed. "There are a handful of MPs with strong links to the party grassroots who could be ideal to fill the role of deputy lead- er party affairs but who can- not compete unless the statute changes," a source within the PL told MaltaToday. Lack of meaningful contact with the party grassroots and local committees has been identified as one of the caus- es for the PL's dismal perfor- mance in European and local elections earlier this month. "The party has a problem in this sector and it makes sense to allow all those who have something to offer to be able to contest for the role," a source close to an MP with interest in the post said. It remains unclear though whether these voices will gain enough traction over the com- ing weeks but another source said Prime Minister Robert Abela appears to be favourable to the change. If this happens it will not be the first time. In 2008, Labour delegates elected Toni Abela, who was not an MP, to the post and he had pledged not to con- test the general election. The statute was eventually changed to bar MPs from occupying the post. However, in 2016, the stat- ute was amended since Joseph Muscat wanted then minister Konrad Mizzi to replace Ab- ela, who stepped down. Mizzi was elected to the role but his tenure was short-lived and was forced to step down after being implicated in the Panama Pa- pers scandal. Eventually, Chris Cardona, also a minister, was elected to deputy leader party affairs af- ter a three-way race with Ow- en Bonnici and Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi. Cardona stepped down in June 2020 and in a one-horse race, Daniel Micallef was elect- ed. Micallef was never an MP and the statute was eventually changed to bar MPs from con- testing. Daniel Micallef (right) announced he will be vacating his deputy leadership role soon after the results of the MEP election were announced Fearne has given no hint that he will resign his post anytime soon, PL sources say The PL had been bracing itself for a deputy leadership race with a handful of ministers having sounded out delegates. But uncertainty over Fearne's future has left everyone in the lurch.