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The Independent
02-07-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Could dengue spread in the UK? Experts fear climate change could bring tropical diseases to Europe
As Europe swelters in extreme heat, experts fear that rising temperatures caused by climate change could push tropical infectious diseases such as Dengue and West Nile Virus into the UK. Researchers estimate that chikungunya and dengue outbreaks could increase five-fold by 2060 under worst-case climate scenarios, according to a report in the Lancet Planetary Health journal. It comes as Europe faces severe heatwaves and wildfires that scientists have attributed to human-induced climate change. There are growing fears that infections could be pushed northwards into Europe, as pathogens thrive in hot and humid conditions. As well as heatwaves, rising greenhouse emissions have forced the world to adapt to floods, droughts and extreme cold. Migration of mosquitos to Europe Changing climate conditions are making Europe more susceptible to both 'vector' and water borne diseases, according to experts. A vector refers to a living organism that can transmit infections from animals to humans or between humans - such as a mosquito. 'Warmer temperatures and altered rainfall patterns caused by climate change mean that certain species of mosquitoes and ticks can now survive in Europe,' Cambridge Professor of Viral Immunology Michael Weekes told The Independent. Dengue, carried by Asian tiger mosquitos, is now one of the fastest growing infectious diseases in Europe. Globalisation and increased travel has brought a slight increase in travellers bringing the infection to Europe, figures show. A total of 304 cases of Dengue were reported in 2024, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. This is a large jump from the cumulative total of 275 cases reported over the last 15 years, which scientists believe could point to the disease becoming endemic in Europe. 'Asian tiger mosquitos are now found in Croatia, France, Germany, Portugal and Spain – and can transmit Dengue, chikungunya and Zika viruses,' Prof Weekes added. 'Whereas these generally cause mild infection, Dengue can sometimes cause fever with severe bleeding, and Zika can be transmitted to unborn children.' Flooding and extended periods of rain also disrupt water treatment and distribution processes, scientists fear. A UK government report warned this could cause bacterial blooms and the spread of antibiotic resistant genes. These factors combined mean the disease season is now also longer, with ticks active all year round in some places. Controlling the spread While infectious diseases are rapidly adapting in a shifting climate, Prof Weekes said that Europe can still take measures to accommodate the changes. 'We must reduce greenhouse gas emissions to limit how bad this gets,' Prof Weekes said. 'We also need better surveillance, better control of mosquitos and tick populations, increased vaccination for diseases such as tick-borne encephalitis, and education about avoiding insect bites. The Asian tiger mosquito bites during the day unlike many mosquitos that bite in the evening and at night.' A report released by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) in 2023 also suggested that more research needs to be conducted to obtain better evidence to measure the impact of climate change on infectious disease risk. It called for strong collaboration between national and international public health agencies, cross-governmental agencies, care providers, such as the NHS and farmers, food manufacturers and the public .
Sinar Daily
26-05-2025
- Health
- Sinar Daily
Dengue, chikungunya may soon be endemic in Europe
Roughly half the world's population is already at risk of contracting the two diseases, which were once mainly confined to tropical regions. 25 May 2025 08:00pm Photo for illustration purpose only. - File photo by Bernama PARIS - The feverish diseases dengue and chikungunya could soon become endemic in Europe as the tiger mosquitoes that transmit these viruses spread farther north due to global warming, according to new research published recently. Roughly half the world's population is already at risk of contracting the two diseases, which were once mainly confined to tropical regions. Photo for illustrative purposes only - 123RF photo Both viruses cause fevers and can be deadly in rare cases, spread by the mosquitoes Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. The latter, which is known as the tiger mosquito, is venturing further north as the world warms because of human-driven climate change. The new study, published in the Lancet Planetary Health journal, analyses the impact a number of factors including the climate have had on the spread of the two diseases in Europe over the last 35 years. The frequency and severity of outbreaks have increased since 2010 as temperatures have risen, according to the study. Yet just over 300 cases of dengue were recorded in the European Union in 2024 -- the hottest year on record -- compared to 275 over the previous 15 years. Dengue outbreaks have now hit Italy, Croatia, France and Spain. "Our findings highlight that the EU is transitioning from sporadic outbreaks of Aedes-borne diseases towards an endemic state," it said. The higher temperatures soar, the greater the risk of outbreaks caused by tiger mosquitoes, the European research team said. Under worst-case climate change scenarios, outbreaks of both diseases could rise to five times the current rate by 2060, they projected. Outbreaks have been more common in wealthier areas, suggesting that better testing is able to spot the virus -- and that cases could be going undetected in poorer areas, the study suggested. The French Indian Ocean island of Reunion has recently endured a deadly outbreak of chikungunya. Tiger mosquitoes can also transmit the zika and West Nile viruses, which were not studied in the latest research. - AFP More Like This
Al-Ahram Weekly
17-05-2025
- Health
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Dengue and chikungunya may soon become endemic in Europe - Health - Life & Style
Dengue and chikungunya diseases may soon become endemic in Europe as the tiger mosquitoes that carry these viruses spread further north due to global warming according to a new research. Approximately half of the world's population is now at risk of contracting the two diseases, which until recently were mainly found in tropical regions. Both viruses cause fever and in rare cases can be deadly. They are spread by the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, AFP reports. The latter, known as the tiger mosquito, is spreading further north as the world warms due to man-made climate change. The new study, published in the journal Lancet Planetary Health, analyses the impact of a number of factors, including climate, on the spread of the two diseases in Europe over the past 35 years. According to the study, the frequency and severity of outbreaks have increased since 2010 as temperatures have risen. Yet in 2024, the hottest year on record, the EU recorded just over 300 cases of dengue compared to 275 in the previous 15 years. Dengue outbreaks have already affected Italy, Croatia, France and Spain. "Our findings highlight that the EU is moving from sporadic outbreaks of Aedes-borne diseases to an endemic state," the report said. The higher the temperatures, the greater the risk of outbreaks caused by tiger mosquitoes, says the European research team. Under a worst-case climate change scenario, outbreaks of both diseases could increase to five times the current number by 2060, they predict. Outbreaks are more common in wealthier areas, suggesting that better tests are able to detect the virus - and that cases may go undetected in poorer areas, the research suggests. The French Indian Ocean island of Réunion recently experienced a deadly chikungunya outbreak. Tiger mosquitoes can also carry the Zika and West Nile viruses, which were not studied in the latest study. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Malay Mail
15-05-2025
- Health
- Malay Mail
Dengue, chikungunya creeping into Europe as climate warms, study warns
PARIS, May 16 — The feverish diseases dengue and chikungunya could soon become endemic in Europe as the tiger mosquitoes that transmit these viruses spread farther north due to global warming, according to new research published Thursday. Roughly half the world's population is already at risk of contracting the two diseases, which were once mainly confined to tropical regions. Both viruses cause fevers and can be deadly in rare cases, spread by the mosquitoes Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. The latter, which is known as the tiger mosquito, is venturing further north as the world warms because of human-driven climate change. The new study, published in the Lancet Planetary Health journal, analyses the impact a number of factors including the climate have had on the spread of the two diseases in Europe over the last 35 years. The frequency and severity of outbreaks have increased since 2010 as temperatures have risen, according to the study. Yet just over 300 cases of dengue were recorded in the European Union in 2024 — the hottest year on record — compared to 275 over the previous 15 years. Dengue outbreaks have now hit Italy, Croatia, France and Spain. 'Our findings highlight that the EU is transitioning from sporadic outbreaks of Aedes-borne diseases towards an endemic state,' it said. The higher temperatures soar, the greater the risk of outbreaks caused by tiger mosquitoes, the European research team said. Under worst-case climate change scenarios, outbreaks of both diseases could rise to five times the current rate by 2060, they projected. Outbreaks have been more common in wealthier areas, suggesting that better testing is able to spot the virus — and that cases could be going undetected in poorer areas, the study suggested. The French Indian Ocean island of Reunion has recently endured a deadly outbreak of chikungunya. Tiger mosquitoes can also transmit the zika and West Nile viruses, which were not studied in the latest research. — AFP
Time of India
15-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Dengue, chikungunya may soon be endemic in Europe: research
Paris: The feverish diseases dengue and chikungunya could soon become endemic in Europe as the tiger mosquitoes that transmit these viruses spread farther north due to global warming, according to new research published Thursday. Roughly half the world's population is already at risk of contracting the two diseases, which were once mainly confined to tropical regions. Both viruses cause fevers and can be deadly in rare cases, spread by the mosquitoes Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. The latter, which is known as the tiger mosquito, is venturing further north as the world warms because of human-driven climate change. The new study, published in the Lancet Planetary Health journal, analyses the impact a number of factors including the climate have had on the spread of the two diseases in Europe over the last 35 years. The frequency and severity of outbreaks have increased since 2010 as temperatures have risen, according to the study. Yet just over 300 cases of dengue were recorded in the European Union in 2024 -- the hottest year on record -- compared to 275 over the previous 15 years. Dengue outbreaks have now hit Italy, Croatia, France and Spain. "Our findings highlight that the EU is transitioning from sporadic outbreaks of Aedes-borne diseases towards an endemic state," it said. The higher temperatures soar, the greater the risk of outbreaks caused by tiger mosquitoes, the European research team said. Under worst-case climate change scenarios, outbreaks of both diseases could rise to five times the current rate by 2060, they projected. Outbreaks have been more common in wealthier areas, suggesting that better testing is able to spot the virus -- and that cases could be going undetected in poorer areas, the study suggested. The French Indian Ocean island of Reunion has recently endured a deadly outbreak of chikungunya. Tiger mosquitoes can also transmit the zika and West Nile viruses, which were not studied in the latest research.
