Screening for stowaway exotic arthropods imported into Europe via aircraft: A cross-sectional analysis

The results of this study indicate that the risk of mosquitoes being introduced into the passenger cabin of an airplane is low. However, the survival of mosquitoes introduced from tropical regions is favoured by warming climatic conditions in Europe. We suggest that further studies using traps at airports and in aircraft cargo holds are warranted. Constant surveillance and random sampling of aircraft for arthropods, particularly at high volume hubs, are recommended.