Earth Science News
EPIDEMICS
Dengue, chikungunya may soon be endemic in Europe: research
Dengue, chikungunya may soon be endemic in Europe: research
By R�becca FRASQUET
Paris (AFP) May 14, 2025

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.

Related Links
Epidemics on Earth - Bird Flu, HIV/AIDS, Ebola

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
EPIDEMICS
White House site blames China for Covid-19 'lab leak'
Washington (AFP) April 18, 2025
The White House on Friday unveiled a revamped Covid-19 website that promoted the contentious theory that the virus leaked from a Chinese laboratory, framing it as the pandemic's "true origins." The Covid.gov website, previously focused on promoting vaccine and testing information, now includes a full-length image of President Donald Trump and criticizes the pandemic policies implemented under former president Joe Biden. The site also targets Anthony Fauci, Biden's former chief medical advisor, f ... read more

EPIDEMICS
Climate change increasing risk of pregnancy problems: study

China tells US 'stop smearing and shifting blame' on fentanyl crisis

Five dead, two missing in Colombia landslide

US climate agency stops tracking costly natural disasters

EPIDEMICS
SMART Launches WISDOM Research Group for Next-Generation 3D-Sensing Technologies

Atomic-Level Precision and Strong Oxidation Unite in GOALL-Epitaxy for Advanced Material Growth

China's Tencent posts forecast-beating Q1 revenue on gaming growth

Accelerating Mathematical Discovery with AI for Tomorrow's Breakthroughs

EPIDEMICS
Abrupt Soil Moisture Loss Drives Global Water Flow into Oceans, Raising Sea Levels

Liquid Metal Tin Powers Sustainable Water Desalination

Only a Tiny Fraction of Deep Seafloor Mapped Over Seven Decades

The West's spring runoff is older than you think

EPIDEMICS
Nepal holds tribute for disappearing glacier

The Antarctic Subglacial Water Puzzle - Insights into Ice Melt Dynamics

Glacier in West Antarctica Engages in Rapid Ice Piracy

Thawing permafrost dots Siberia with rash of mounds

EPIDEMICS
Scientists in Mexico develop tortilla for people with no fridge

Australian seaweed farm tackles burps to help climate

Atmospheric Memory Effect Discovered as Key Mechanism in Monsoon Rainfall

Salt of the earth: Pilot project helping reclaim Sri Lankan farms

EPIDEMICS
Volcano in Philippines spews ash over a mile into the sky

Latest quake sparks fear around Naples, Italy

Floods in eastern DR Congo kill more than 100: local officials; Somalia floods kill seven, displace 200 families

Satellite Data Confirms First Ship-Based Detection of Landslide-Triggered Tsunami

EPIDEMICS
Jihadists kill four Nigerian troops in new base attack: sources

Kenya seeks Dominican help with Haiti anti-gang mission

On patrol for jihadists with Mauritania's camel cavalry

Burkina leader seeks stronger military ties with Russia

EPIDEMICS
Versatile Call Combinations in Chimpanzees May Shed Light on the Evolution of Human Language

Hormone cycles shape the structure and function of key memory regions in the brain

Aztec Obsidian Study Uncovers Complex Ancient Trade Networks

Chimpanzees Use Medicinal Plants for Wound Care and Hygiene in Ugandan Forests

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.