Dangerous viruses have reached Europe

Scientists have recorded accelerated spread of dengue and chikungunya viruses in Europe. As shown by a study in The Lancet Planetary Health, from the moment the carrier appears - the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) - to the first outbreak of infection, it now takes less than five years. In the 1990s, this required decades.

The reason is not only globalization and tourism growth, but also climate change. Warming makes European cities a more favorable environment for dangerous mosquitoes to breed. The study showed: an increase in average summer temperature by just 1 °C increases the risk of an outbreak by 55%, especially in densely populated areas.

Travelers also play a role, bringing viruses from the tropics and provoking local epidemics. From 2007 to 2024, 66 outbreaks have already been registered in the EU, and the mosquito Aedes albopictus has established itself in 358 regions. Scientists warn: by the 2060s, the frequency of outbreaks could increase almost fivefold.

The study authors call for urgent measures - strengthening epidemiological surveillance, implementing early warning systems, and educating the population about the risks of fever spread.