Dengue fever was unknown to Europeans before the heat wave reached them

Europe is threatened by the spread of dangerous diseases

Europe is threatened by the spread of dangerous diseases... and the reason is climate change

Europe faces a new threat due to the severe climate change that has begun to affect the continent in recent years. It is now facing the risk of the spread of new diseases, including dengue fever, which Europeans were not aware of before the heat wave reached them. Dengue fever is transmitted by mosquitoes that thrive in hot regions, especially tropical regions, but has recently begun to spread across large areas of Europe.

According to details published by the British newspaper "Daily Mail," dengue fever is typically found in tropical and subtropical regions, including the Caribbean, Central America, South America, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands. However, a new study warns of the possibility of dengue fever spreading to Europe soon.

Experts from the University of Montpellier in southern France said that climate change could create ideal conditions for the spread of the Asian tiger mosquito in Western Europe. This mosquito is the insect that transmits the virus that causes the disease. Their models indicate that rising temperatures could lead to outbreaks in cities including London, Vienna, Strasbourg, and Frankfurt, the largest European cities. Worryingly, this could happen within a few years, according to the French research team.

Dr. Andrea Radici, lead author of the study, said: "It is estimated that the mosquito could establish itself in northern France within a decade, and from there could easily reach London—a climate already favorable for this vector." Although dengue fever is not usually dangerous, the World Health Organization warns on its website that "dengue can be severe and lead to death in rare cases."

Dengue fever is a viral infection transmitted from mosquitoes to humans. It is most common in tropical and subtropical climates, and its incidence has increased dramatically in recent decades. In 2000, the WHO reported 505,430 cases worldwide. However, by 2019, this number had risen to 5.2 million.

The virus is transmitted by the Asian tiger mosquito, which lays its eggs in water where the larvae develop, producing flying, blood-sucking adults at a sufficient temperature. While this species is typically found in tropical and subtropical regions, it is slowly but steadily spreading across Europe. The Asian tiger mosquito was first reported in Albania in 1979 and has since spread across southwestern Europe.

Now, using modeling and observations of recent spread, researchers have revealed where the virus could spread next. According to their analysis, under favorable climate change conditions, major cities such as London, Vienna, Strasbourg, and Frankfurt will soon become "perfect hosts" for the Asian tiger mosquito.

Although this species has not yet reached these cities, its rate of spread northward in France has accelerated from about 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) per year in 2006 to 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) per year in 2024. This suggests that the mosquito could be thriving in northern France by 2035, and could reach London shortly thereafter. To date, only one dengue vaccine has been approved and licensed, although several others are under evaluation.