From ‘break-bone fever' to an eye-bleeding disease – the 9 tropical diseases you can catch in EUROPE this summer

The Irish Sun

3 days ago

THE list of possible threats you might expect to come across on your summer holiday to Europe has, until now, been rather short.
Beyond expected airport delays, eating your
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Where new disease-ridden critters have become established in Europe
But as temperatures rise in our favourite holiday destinations, there may be a new - and buzzier - risk on the horizon.
A range of
Last year, Europe saw a sharp rise in mosquito-borne diseases, with 304 local dengue cases also called 'breakbone fever' up from 130 in 2023 and 71 in 2022.
In 2024,
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Read more on tropical diseases
This is up from 713 cases in 123 regions across nine EU countries, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)
Traces of the
bug,
that can leave it's victims paralysed, were detected as far north as Britain for the first time in 2023.
In 2025, France has already reported six
This is months earlier than usual, highlighting how changing conditions are making mosquito seasons longer.
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In response, EU health chiefs are warning those heading to the continent to take 'personal measures' when visiting infected countries.
They've also stepped up disease tracking and now release a weekly report showing how countries are managing outbreaks, so everyone stays informed and prepared.
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Three different types of disease-riddled mosquito, three types of infection-prone ticks and one nasty fly species are 'established' in several European countries, according to the ECDC.
Prof Francois Balloux of the University College of London Genetics Institute warns we're likely to see more of these infections in parts of Europe as the climate becomes "more suitable".
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"Many of these insect species prefer warm and humid weather," he tells Sun Health.
"Their larvae develop faster in warmer temperatures and a longer breeding season allowing larger populations to develop".
When an insect is 'established' this means they have developed a self-sustaining population that is reproducing.
Just because an insect is established somewhere, it does not mean the disease itself is endemic as not every insect will carry the disease.
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What is Chikungunya
Here, we look at nine different diseases you could catch from bugs that are residing in Europe...
1.
Chikungunya virus
Spread by
: Aedes invasive mosquitoes
Countries where bug is established
:
Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Croatia, Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, North Macedonia, Romania, Bulgaria Turkey and Madeira (Portugal).
Chikungunya is a virus spread by two different aedes invasive mosquitoes: Aedes and albopictus.
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The disease name means "to become contorted" in the African Kimakonde language, as it causes severe muscle and joint pain.
Other symptoms include sudden
Most victims will recover within a few weeks, but in some cases, the joint pain may persist for weeks, months or even longer.
It's usually found in tropical areas like central and South America, Asia and Africa, but the mosquito has made its way to warm parts of Europe.
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Most cases in Europe have come from people travelling from places where the disease is endemic.
2.
Crimean Congo haemorrhagic fever
Spread by
: Hyalomma tick
Countries where bug is established
:
Spain, Bulgaria and Greece.
Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever is a tick-borne virus that can cause severe bleeding and high fever.
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It's not very common, but it has been cropping up in Europe.
If someone gets infected, they might start suffering from flu-like symptoms before this progresses to severe bleeding from the eyes and organ failure.
It kills up to 40 per cent of infected people, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
In July, British scientists warned the disease could be expanding out of its usual territories and moving towards the UK and France due to climate change.
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Ticks bury into the skin
Credit: Alamy
3.
Dengue virus
Spread by
: Aedes invasive mosquitoes
Countries where bug is established
:
Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Croatia, Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, North Macedonia, Romania, Bulgaria Turkey and Madeira (Portugal).
Dengue - also called 'breakbone fever' because of the severe muscle and joint pain it can trigger - is becoming more common in Europe.
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It is spread by the
Aedes invasive mosquitoes, specifically the aegypti type - also known as the tiger mosquito.
Over the past two years, a record number of cases of dengue were detected in several countries across the continent, including France, Italy and Spain.
The most common symptoms are a high fever, headache and body aches.
About one in 10 of those infected will develop
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Cases of the debilitating
mosquito-borne disease
,
in returning travellers soared to a record 904 in the UK in 2024, according to new figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
This marks a 43 per cent rise from 631 the previous year and represents the highest number of cases recorded in the UK since 2009.
Most cases were linked to travel to southern and south-eastern Asia but cases have also been reportedly on the rise in European locations like Spain and Italy.
In 2023, the UK government installed additional mosquito traps at ports, service stations, and truck stops throughout south England to counter the growing spread of dengue fever.
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4.
Leishmaniasis
Spread by
: Phlebotomine sand flies
Countries where bug is established
: Spain, Italy, Greece and Portugal.
It's common in the rainforests, deserts, and urban areas of the Americas, Asia, Africa - and in more recent decades, Europe.
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However, a survey by the ECDC revealed that isn't mandatory in many European countries to report cases.
This means it is hard to get a true picture of how many countries the disease-carrying flies are established.
It can cause sores on the skin that may develop into
In some cases, these ulcers can develop in the nose, mouth and throat, causing wounds that can permanently disfigure the patient.
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The most serious form of the disease affects internal organs such as the liver and spleen, causing fever, weight loss and anaemia.
If not treated in time, it can cause death.
5.
Lyme disease
Spread by
: European deer tick (Ixodes ricinus)
Countries where bug is established:
United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Turkey, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, and North Macedonia.
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A bite from tiny ticks, usually found in grassy areas, can result in debilitating Lyme disease.
This is a bacterial infection that is passed on to humans from infected ticks - usually European deer ticks.
Symptoms of Lyme disease include a circular or oval rash around the bite area, as well as fatigue and flu-like symptoms.
In most cases, Lyme disease can be effectively treated with a course of antibiotics.
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However, if left untreated, the infection can spread to the heart, joints and nervous system.
Bella Hadid suffered an excruciating
The supermodel, 27, was diagnosed with the condition in 2012 but was struggling with debilitating symptoms long before.
Bugs carrying the disease are mainly located in central Europe, including Austria, Switzerland and Spain.
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However, in the last years, there has been a spread of infected ticks northbound, towards Scandinavia and the UK.
How to prevent tick bites - and remove the bugs
There are a few things you can do to lessen your likelihood of tick bites.
Firstly, try and cover as much of your skin as possible while walking outdoors and tuck your trousers into your socks.
You should also be using insect repellent containing DEET on your clothes and skin, and wearing light coloured clothing so you can spot a tick easily.
Also stick to paths where possible when you're out walking.
How can I remove a tick safely?
To remove a tick safely:
Use fine-tipped tweezers or a tick-removal tool. You can buy these from some pharmacies, vets and pet shops.
Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible.
Slowly pull upwards, taking care not to squeeze or crush the tick. Dispose of it when you have removed it.
Clean the bite with antiseptic or soap and water.
The chance of getting ill is low. You do not need to do anything else unless you notice a rash or become unwell.
If either of these happen, make sure to see a GP so you can get treatment as soon a possible.
6.
Malaria
Spread by
: Anopheles mosquitoes
Countries where bug is established:
Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece, Cyprus.
Malaria is an infection caused by a tiny, blood-borne parasite, transmitted by the bites of infected female
Anopheles
mosquitoes.
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It's known as the most deadly mosquito-borne disease on the planet.
Most cases you hear about are from people who catch it while travelling to places where malaria is more common, like Africa or parts of Asia.
Anopheles are present in certain parts of Europe, but, at present do not carry the disease anymore.
In fact, Europe
was declared malaria-free by the WHO in 2015, but
now its threat is edging closer
again.
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The disease has been spotted in
, and medical cases of affected holidaymakers coming into Britain are at their highest level in more than 20 years, with 2,106 cases in 2023.
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A feeding female Anopheles Stephensi mosquito
Credit: AP
7.
Tick-borne encephalitis
Spread by
: European deer tick (Ixodes ricinus) and the Siberian tick (Ixodes persulcatus)
Countries where bug is established
:
European deer tick
- United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Turkey, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, and North Macedonia.
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Siberian tick
- Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, Sweden (northern parts).
Tick-borne encephalitis is a virus that both the European deer and Siberian tick can carry, and it's something to watch out for in certain parts of Europe.
Most people who catch the virus will have no or only mild flu-like symptoms.
However, the bug can progress to affect the brain and central nervous system and can sometimes be fatal.
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The disease-carrying critters, mostly found in long grass or woodland areas, were traditionally only found in central and Eastern Europe.
Nowadays, the virus is also reported in areas of Northern Europe not previously thought to be infected, including the UK.
8.
West Nile virus
Spread by
: Culex mosquitoes
Countries where bug is established
: Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, Greece, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, Croatia, Hungary, and Turkey.
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West Nile virus is transmitted to humans through
Culex mosquitoes that feed on infected birds, which are natural reservoirs for the disease.
Typically, the infection is found in Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia.
A few decades ago, the disease made its way to Europe - but only more recently have we seen a rise in cases.
Roughly one in five people will develop symptoms, including headache, joint pains, and a rash.
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And one per cent will develop severe illness including two brain swelling conditions called
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9.
Zika Virus
Spread by:
Aedes invasive mosquitoes
Countries where bug is established
: Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Croatia, Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, North Macedonia, Romania, Bulgaria Turkey and Madeira (Portugal).
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Zika is generally a mild virus, causing a fever, rash or headache - although most people infected will never develop symptoms.
But the disease is dangerous for pregnant women because it can lead to premature births, miscarriages and birth defects - including microcephaly, which affected some 2,000 children in Brazil.
There is also an increased risk of neurological complications, including Guillain-Barré syndrome.
What can I do to prevent mosquito bites?
The Fit for Travel website says if you are travelling to an area affected by diseases such as malaria, dengue fever and yellow fever, spread by mosquitoes, you should take action to protect yourself.
Some mosquitoes are more active in the day time while others at night - so it is important to protect yourself at all times.
It says: "If you develop a high temperature (fever) either during or after travelling to an affected area, you should seek medical advice as soon as possible and give details of your recent travel history."
To protect yourself:
Use a good quality insect repellent
The higher the strength, the longer the repellent should prevent mosquitoes landing on you.
An effective repellent contains at least one of; DEET (50% concentration for areas where there is malaria), Icaradin/Picardin (at least 20% concentration, Eucalyptus citriodora oil, hydrated, cyclized (at least 30% concentration), IR3535 (but not for malaria areas).
Apply:
On all areas of skin not covered by clothes
After sun screen
Regularly, particularly if you notice mosquitoes around you
After swimming, washing or excessive sweating
On the face, by spraying the repellent on the hands first
Loose clothing
Mosquitoes can bite through tight clothing, so loose-fitted clothing is ideal.
Consider a high neckline, long sleeves, long trousers and socks.
Remember to apply insect repellent on areas not clothed.
Mosquito nets
Mosquito nets can protect you at night when sleeping and are even better if treated with insecticide.
Check for any holes in the net before using it. If a hole is apparent, then this should be mended.
You should tuck the net under your mattress or ground sheet during the night, and either collapse it down, or keep it tucked up during the day to stop insects flying under and into the net.