Climate change is causing the spread of tiger mosquitoes in Europe and contributing to rising cases of dengue fever. Researchers from Sweden and Germany caution that the expansion of these mosquitoes across Europe, driven by climate change, increases the likelihood that tropical diseases like dengue could become established in the region.
Nearly half of the world’s population now faces a risk of contracting dengue fever and chikungunya, illnesses that were once confined to tropical areas, as global temperatures continue to rise.
The research indicates that the frequency and severity of these cases have escalated since 2010, aligning with increasing temperatures.
Both dengue and chikungunya can be life-threatening, with symptoms including high fever, headache, body aches, nausea, and rash, according to Politico.
The tiger mosquito is migrating further north due to rising temperatures linked to human-induced climate change.
In 2024, which is recorded as the hottest year to date, the EU reported 304 cases of dengue fever, primarily in Italy, Croatia, and Spain. Over the last 15 years, total cases reached 275.
In 2023, there were 130 reported cases, contrasting sharply with just 71 cases recorded between 2010 and 2021.
This study was published in the journal The Lancet Planetary Health.
Ask me anything
Explore related questions
