Experts warn that rising global temperatures are allowing mosquito-borne diseases, such as Zika and dengue fever, to spread across Europe. Urgent action is needed to prevent these viruses from becoming endemic, as they pose a significant threat to public health.
Deadly viruses such as Zika and dengue fever could become endemic in Europe unless urgent measures are taken, a leading expert has warned. Rising global temperatures driven by climate change are allowing mosquito-borne diseases, once confined to tropical regions, to spread across Europe . Virologist Nerea Irigoyen Vergara, who has led a research team studying the Zika virus at the University of Cambridge since 2018, stressed the urgency of the situation.
Vergara told Spanish newspaper El País: 'If we don't prevent it now, dengue or Zika will become endemic in Europe.' She urged immediate action, warning that the situation is worsening. Vergara's concerns follow a deadly outbreak of West Nile virus in Andalusia, Spain, which claimed the lives of nine people. According to the virologist, the entire Mediterranean basin is 'highly exposed' to mosquito-borne viruses. One species alone is capable of transmitting yellow fever, Zika, and Chikungunya, making it a significant threat to public health. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has identified three mosquito species of particular concern in Europe: the Asian tiger mosquito, the yellow fever mosquito (Aedes aegypti), and the common house mosquito. The Asian tiger mosquito is now 'firmly' established in 13 European countries, with self-sustaining populations, while the yellow fever mosquito has taken hold in Cyprus. The ECDC has stated that climate change is a driving force behind the rising number of mosquito-borne disease outbreaks across Europe. Vergara warned that West Nile virus is already endemic in Spain, as cases are now being detected year-round and in various animals, including birds. While dengue and Zika are not yet endemic in Spain, they could take hold across Europe without urgent preventative action, an expert has warned. Vergara has urged Spanish authorities to step up efforts to control mosquito populations, calling for fumigation and larvae control campaigns in winter and early spring. She also stressed the need for better training for healthcare workers to recognise symptoms, increased public awareness, and greater investment in research into emerging viral diseases. “With climate change, the global spread is getting worse,” she said, noting that Latin America and South America are now seeing millions of cases at unprecedented levels. While mosquito species capable of carrying dengue and Zika have been detected in parts of Europe, the NHS confirms that they are not present in the UK. The health service also states that yellow fever is not found in the UK. All three diseases share common symptoms, including a high temperature and headache. However, each virus presents distinct warning signs. Zika can cause sore, red eyes, swollen joints, an itchy rash, and muscle or joint pain. Despite these symptoms, most people who contract the virus do not experience any signs of illness. Dengue, on the other hand, can trigger pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint aches, swollen glands, and a blotchy rash. In severe cases, symptoms can escalate to intense abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, rapid breathing, bleeding gums or nose, extreme fatigue, restlessness, and even blood in vomit or faeces. According to the NHS, yellow fever can cause nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, body aches, and a general feeling of being unwell. In severe cases, the disease can be life-threatening, with symptoms including jaundice, dark urine, stomach pain, and bleeding from the eyes, nose, mouth, or stomach. Blood may also appear in vomit or faeces. Vaccines are available to protect against yellow fever and dengue, but no vaccine currently exists for Zika. The virus is particularly dangerous for pregnant women, as it can cause severe birth defects, including microcephaly—where a baby is born with an unusually small head
MOSQUITO-BORNE DISEASES CLIMATE CHANGE ZIKA VIRUS DENGUE FEVER EUROPE PUBLIC HEALTH VIRAL OUTBREAKS WEST NILE VIRUS YELLOW FEVER
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