Tiger mosquitos are responsible for the rise of dengue illness in Europe.
Mosquitoes can transmit diseases from person to person and place to place.
An invasive mosquito species has established itself in 13 European Union countries, including France, Spain, and Greece, with specialists tying its presence to an increase in dengue fever cases in Europe.
According to the European Centre for
for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), climate change is facilitating the spread of the tiger mosquito.
Authorities have monitored and trapped the fly as far north as Paris, where the Olympic Games will be held at the end of July.
The ECDC has cautioned that foreign travel will raise the danger of future European outbreaks.
It has encouraged people to remove stagnant water from gardens or balconies where mosquitos might grow, and to apply repellant as well as window and door screens.
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Over the past 20 years, mosquitoes have become an increasing menace throughout Europe.
From its 'base camp' in southern Europe, the Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus, is currently making its way across Europe and is considered to be the most invasive species of mosquito worldwide.
According to the ECDC, it is now well-established in Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, and Spain.
Additionally, reports of it have come from Slovakia, the Netherlands, Belgium, Cyprus, and Czechia.
Diseases like dengue fever, chikungunya, and the Zika virus, which were formerly limited to certain regions of Africa, Asia, and the Americas, are dispersed by tiger mosquitoes.
The mosquito responsible for spreading yellow fever and other illnesses, Aedes aegypti, has established a residence in Cyprus. Experts describe its penchant for biting humans and its capacity to spread illness as "concerning" signs that it may spread to other parts of Europe.
Beginning with flu-like symptoms, dengue can progress to more serious and occasionally fatal complications.
The number of mass epidemics has increased recently. Eight cases of multiple infections were reported in France, four in Italy, and two in Spain in the previous year.
As a result of global trade and population mobility, the majority of cases in Europe are imported; the number of imported cases increased to around 5,000 last year.
However, there is also an increase in locally acquired infections: in 2023, 130 persons were afflicted, compared to 71 in the previous year.
The West Nile virus, which is also spread by mosquitoes, is more common than ever in many parts of Europe.
According to the ECDC, one case of the virus was discovered in southern Spain in the beginning of March, demonstrating how the climate is fostering an environment that mosquitoes can thrive in even "very early in the year."
Director of the ECDC Andrea Ammon stated, "Europe is already witnessing how climate change is creating more favorable conditions for invasive mosquitos to spread into previously unaffected areas and infect more people with diseases like dengue."
"Increased international travel from dengue-endemic countries will also increase the risk of imported cases, and inevitably also the risk of local outbreaks."
"Personal protective measures" are the advice that Ms. Ammon gives to the public, adding that "early detection of cases, timely surveillance, further research and awareness-raising activities are paramount in those areas in Europe most at risk."
Dengue fever is widespread in more than 100 countries worldwide, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), with over six million illnesses and 7,000 deaths reported last year.
The majority of instances occur in Bangladesh, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Malaria is the world's deadliest mosquito-borne disease. It is transmitted to humans through the bites of infected female mosquitoes known as anopheles, which have also been identified in Europe.
Malaria cases are expected to increase on the continent in the future if conditions are favorable.
