The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has issued a warning about an unprecedented surge in arbovirus outbreaks across Europe in 2025. Mosquito-borne diseases such as West Nile virus (WNV) and chikungunya are spreading more widely and intensely than ever before. The ECDC reports that Europe has recorded 27 chikungunya outbreaks this year—the highest number on record—and hundreds of locally acquired WNV infections with fatalities, signaling a shift toward what experts call a “new normal” of transmission.
Key environmental factors, including rising temperatures, longer summers, milder winters, and altered rainfall patterns, have created ideal conditions for mosquitoes like Aedes albopictus, the Asian tiger mosquito, to thrive and expand their range. This mosquito species is now established in 16 European countries, up significantly from a decade ago when it was found in far fewer regions.
The ECDC emphasizes that this trend demands coordinated public health responses across nations to strengthen mosquito surveillance, prevention, and control efforts. Personal protective measures such as using insect repellents and eliminating standing water around homes are also vital. As Europe continues to experience climate changes, the risk of more frequent and intense arbovirus transmission seasons is expected to grow, challenging health systems and communities alike.
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