More mosquitoes expected next year
Shanghai is likely to experience a larger number of mosquitoes next year as the current warm winter allows more of the pests to survive.
Local health authorities also announced on Thursday that they would start a campaign to control the insects and prevent mosquito-borne diseases.
According to Dr Leng Pei'en from Shanghai Center for Disease Control and Prevention, if the weather remains warm, more insects will last through the season.
“Underground garages and wells in the city are ideal places for mosquitoes to hide in winter. In recent years, we have also found a rising incidence of aedes albopictus, the type of mosquito that spreads dengue fever,” he said.
Experts say that standing water in flower pots, discarded tires and drainage wells are also places where mosquitoes hatch. Removing water and using professional vector-control teams are effective measures against pests, according to Leng.