Urgent warning to holidaymakers over risk of five new deadly diseases found in 26 European countries
HOLIDAYMAKERS heading across the channel this summer have been warned mosquitoes carrying deadly diseases have reached new parts of Europe.
Scientists say climate change, which brings with it frequent heatwaves and flooding, has created more favourable conditions for the critters.
Experts fear it may spread to other European countries and lead to more cases and deaths of tropical diseases like dengue and West Nile fever.
They are urging people travelling or living in affected countries to wear repellent, use bed nets, sleep in air conditioned rooms and wear long sleeves.
Experts are also calling for governments to eliminate standing water sources where mosquitoes breed and use eco-friendly larvicides.
The report, by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), reveals invasive mosquito species, which carry several deadly diseases, are now established in 26 European countries - including 14 within the EU.
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Aedes albopictus, known to carry dengue and chikungunya have been found in the following countries:
- Albania
- Austria
- Bosnia and Hezegronvia
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- France
- Georgia
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Italy
- Kosovo
- Malta
- Monaco
- Montenegro
- Moldova
- North Macedonia
- Portugal
- Romania
- Serbia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Switzerland
- Turkey
- Ukraine
Meanwhile, Aedes aegypti, which can spread diseases such as yellow fever, Zika and West Nile virus, has also become established Georgia, Turkey and Cyprus.
Andrea Ammon, ECDC director, said: "In recent years we have seen a geographical spread of invasive mosquito species to previously unaffected areas in the EU/EEA.
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"If this continues, we can expect to see more cases and possibly deaths from diseases such as dengue, chikungunya and West Nile fever.
"Efforts need to focus on ways to control mosquito populations, enhancing surveillance and enforcing personal protective measures."
The ECDC says it is "essential" that healthcare workers and the public have a greater awareness of the different diseases transmitted by mosquitoes.
According to the report, in 2022 there were 1,133 human cases of West Nile virus and 92 deaths, with the majority of cases acquired in Europe.
Some 71 cases of locally acquired dengue were recorded in mainland Europe - the is equivalent to the total number reported between 2010 and 2021.
The five new diseases
Dengue fever can cause severe muscles and joint pain to those infected.
About one in 10 of those infected will develop severe dengue, which can result in shock, internal bleeding, and even death.
A 44-year-old British woman made headlines last month after she was infected with the virus on a family trip close to Nice, France, in September.
She went to A&E in the UK with a three-day fever, pains and a rash but later made a full recovery.
Chikungunya is a viral infection most commonly found Africa, Asia, and the Americas.
It can cause fever and severe joint pain, as well as muscle pain, headache, nausea, fatigue and rash.
Serious complications are not common, but in older people it can contribute to the cause of death.
Meanwhile, yellow fever is a tropical infection which attacks the liver and kidneys.
The virus often causes severe aches and nausea, but in more serious cases, it can also result in jaundice and even heart failure.
Most cases of West Nile virus do not cause symptoms, but when people fall ill, they will experience flu-like symptoms including headaches and a fever.
In severe cases, infected patients can develop severe neurological problems including meningitis, encephalitis and paralysis, which can result in death.
Zika virus is mostly found across the Americas and Asia.
Symptoms are usually mild, but some will experience a rash, itching, joint pain, fever, headache and lower back pain.
The real danger is for pregnant women, as the disease an be passed from mother to baby.
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The virus has been connected to the neurological condition Guillain-Barré syndrome, which can cause paralysis.
It has also linked to the microcephaly birth defect in babies, which causes them to be born with abnormally small heads and incomplete brain development.