Asian tiger mosquito (aedes albopictus) has spread to 13 EU/EEA countries and is responsible for transmitting dengue, chikungunya, and Zika viruses.
Climate change is expected to increase the spread of mosquito-borne diseases in Europe.
Dengue fever cases in Europe have increased, with 130 locally acquired cases and over 4900 imported cases reported in 2023.
France has been monitoring and trapping invasive tiger mosquitoes. Most reported cases are from people traveling to French overseas territories, but there's a risk of native cases.
Personal protective measures, vector control measures, early detection, surveillance, research and awareness-raising activities are necessary to prevent the spread of mosquito-borne diseases.
Dengue fever, a mosquito-borne disease, is on the rise in Europe. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) reported 130 locally acquired cases in the EU/EEA in 2023, an increase from the ten-year period of 73 cases. Imported dengue cases have also risen significantly, with over 4900 reported in 2023. The Asian tiger mosquito (aedes albopictus), which transmits dengue, chikungunya, and Zika viruses, has spread to 13 EU/EEA countries. Culex pipiens mosquitoes, responsible for West Nile virus transmission, are native to Europe and present throughout the EU/EEA. Climate change is expected to increase the spread of mosquito-borne diseases in Europe.
In France, authorities have been monitoring and trapping the invasive tiger mosquito. Most reported cases are people who have traveled to French overseas territories, but there is a risk of people getting infected on French soil, leading to native cases. The EU's health commissioner has warned Europe must brace for a rise in mosquito-borne infections due to global warming.
Personal protective measures combined with vector control measures, early detection of cases, timely surveillance, further research and awareness-raising activities are paramount in those areas in Europe most at risk. The ECDC advises these measures to prevent the spread of mosquito-borne diseases.
An invasive species of mosquito, the Asian tiger mosquito (aedes albopictus), has been found in 13 EU countries including France, Spain and Greece.
Experts link the discovery of this mosquito to a rise in dengue fever in Europe.
Climate change creates favorable conditions for the tiger mosquito to spread.
Tiger mosquitoes can spread diseases such as dengue fever, chikungunya and Zika virus.
Dengue starts with flu-like symptoms but can become serious and, in some cases, fatal.
Last year, eight incidents of multiple dengue fever infections were recorded in France, four in Italy and two in Spain.
Most European cases are imported but locally-acquired infections are also rising. In 2023, there were 130 people affected by locally-acquired dengue fever.
West Nile virus is now present in more European regions than ever before. One person was reported to be infected by the virus in southern Spain at the start of March.
Europe is seeing how climate change creates more favorable conditions for invasive mosquitoes to spread into previously unaffected areas and infect more people with diseases such as dengue.
Increased international travel from dengue-endemic countries will also increase the risk of imported cases and local outbreaks.
Personal protective measures, early detection of cases, timely surveillance, further research and awareness-raising activities are paramount in areas most at risk.
Dengue is a disease transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes and is widely distributed in tropical and sub-tropical regions.
The EU/EEA does not have endemic dengue cases, but there are travel-associated cases.
ECDC collects surveillance data on dengue through TESSy at the EU level.
Dengue is a notifiable disease in the EU and ECDC produces reports on places of infection for public health authorities and citizens.
In 2022, there were travel-associated dengue cases reported to ECDC from various locations outside mainland EU/EEA. The report includes these locations based on confirmed cases in the past five years or reported by two separate countries.
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