Europe sets new records for mosquito-borne diseases
The European Centres for Disease Control (ECDC) has warned that record breaking outbreaks of West Nile virus (WNV) infection and chikungunya virus disease point to a ‘new normal’ in Europe prompting the need for a robust and coordinated response to protect public health across Europe
Europe is experiencing longer and more intense transmission seasons for mosquito-borne diseases, including WNV infection and chikungunya virus disease. This shift is driven by climatic and environmental factors such as rising temperatures, longer summer seasons, milder winters and changes in rainfall patterns –conditions that combine to create a favourable environment for mosquitoes to thrive and transmit viruses. Pamela Rendi-Wagner, ECDC Director, said: “Europe is entering a new phase, where longer, more widespread and more intense transmission of mosquito-borne diseases is becoming the new normal. ECDC is working closely with all Member States to provide tailored support and timely public health guidance to strengthen Europe’s response.”
The mosquito that can spread chikungunya virus (Aedes albopictus) is now established in 16 European countries and 369 regions, up from just 114 regions a decade ago. Combined with increasing levels of international travel, this spread makes local outbreaks more likely. Europe has seen 27 chikungunya outbreaks so far in 2025, a new record for the continent. For the first time, a locally acquired chikungunya virus disease case has been reported in France’s Alsace region – an exceptional occurrence at this latitude, according to the ECDC, highlighting the continued northward expansion of the transmission risk.
The distribution of WNV cases in Europe continues to shift and over the past decade, the infection has been detected in new areas every year. This year, for the first time, infections have been reported in the Italian provinces of Latina and Frosinone, and Sălaj County in Romania. Europe has recorded the highest number of West Nile virus cases in three years. ECDC expects infections to continue rising, likely reaching a seasonal peak in August or September.
New ECDC guidance outlines practical surveillance, prevention, and control measures for chikungunya virus disease, dengue, WNV and Zika virus disease, with tailored recommendations for European countries, including those with limited experience or that have not previously faced the threat of these mosquito-borne diseases. Designed for public health authorities, the guidance provides a ready-to-use practical toolkit to assess risk levels and deploy preparedness and control measures suited to their specific situation.
Dr Céline Gossner, Head of Section Food-, Water-, Vector-borne and Zoonotic Diseases at ECDC, said: “As the mosquito-borne disease landscape evolves, more people in Europe will be at risk in the future. This makes prevention more important than ever, both through coordinated public health action and personal protection measures. There is an urgent need to strengthen and scale up efficient, environmentally friendly mosquito control interventions.”
There has also been a recent rise in travel-related chikungunya cases among UK residents
Mandy Langfield
Mandy Langfield is Publishing Director for Voyageur Group. She has written extensively on the topic of international travel and health insurance, as well as medical assistance provision and air medical transportation. Mandy is also on the committee for the International Travel & Health Insurance Conferences (ITIC).