EU health authorities warn that mosquito-borne illnesses are at record highs

Europe is seeing “record breaking outbreaks” this summertime of nan mosquito-borne illnesses West Nile microorganism and chikungunya, wellness authorities person warned.

The continent’s mosquito play is becoming “longer and much intense” arsenic temperatures rise, winters are much mild, and rainfall patterns displacement – creating nan cleanable conditions for mosquitoes to proliferate and dispersed viruses, according to nan European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).

Health and ambiance scientists person besides warned that mosquito-borne illnesses could go endemic successful Europe arsenic a consequence of ambiance change.

“Europe is entering a caller shape – wherever longer, much widespread, and much aggravated transmission of mosquito-borne diseases is becoming nan caller normal,” ECDC Director Pamela Rendi-Wagner said successful a statement.

There person been 27 chikungunya outbreaks truthful acold successful 2025, which is simply a caller grounds for nan continent, nan agency said. There person been 335 cases of West Nile virus, which is nan highest level successful 3 years.

Those tallies span nan European Union and a fewer different countries successful mainland Europe.

ECDC officials expect these figures to proceed rising successful nan coming weeks. Infections typically highest from July to September.

The mosquito that spreads chikungunya, known arsenic Aedes albopictus aliases nan Asian tiger mosquito, has now been recovered successful 16 European countries and 369 regions, up from 114 regions a decade ago, according to nan ECDC.

Meanwhile, West Nile microorganism infections are reported successful caller regions each year. In 2025, that includes Sălaj County successful Romania and nan Latina and Frosinone provinces of Italy, wherever at slightest 10 group person died from nan virus.

“As nan mosquito-borne illness scenery evolves, much group successful Europe will beryllium astatine consequence successful nan future,” said Dr Céline Gossner, who leads nan ECDC’s food-, water-, vector-borne and zoonotic diseases section.

Most group infected pinch West Nile microorganism will person nary symptoms, but immoderate will create life-threatening complications specified arsenic encephalitis, which is inflammation of nan brain, aliases meningitis, which is inflammation of nan protective membranes astir nan encephalon and spinal cord.

Chikungunya tin origin fever, nausea, headache, fatigue, rash, musculus aches, associated swelling, and associated pain, which tin beryllium debilitating and long-lasting.

There are nary circumstantial treatments for chikungunya aliases West Nile virus. Two chikununya vaccines person been approved successful nan European Union, but location is nary vaccine that protects against West Nile virus.

That’s why prevention is seen arsenic a captious measurement to curb nan dispersed of these viruses.

Gossner said countries should “strengthen and standard up efficient, environmentally friends mosquito power interventions”.

People tin besides return steps to minimise mosquito bites. The ECDC said that successful areas wherever infected mosquitoes are common, group should usage mosquito repellent, deterioration agelong sleeves and trousers astir dawn and dusk, and usage aerial conditioning, fans, furniture nets, and model screens.