People should avoid mosquito bites by using insect repellents and insect screens, according to the Health Department.

The department said when asked there have been no notified cases of diseases associated with the Asian tiger mosquito over the past years.

The mosquito, Aedes Albopictus, is a carrier of the dengue fever in southeast Asia and a potential carrier of yellow fever, LaCrosse encephalitis and dog heartworm.

An article on the BBC website earlier this month said the "predator" had started to "stalk" Italy. The tiger mosquito was described as "an enemy so invincible" that people sometimes stay in their houses.

Asked whether there have ever been reports of this type of mosquito in Malta, a spokesman for the Health Department said no diseases associated with the pest have been notified to the Disease Surveillance Unit of the Public Health Department.

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