“The new normality”: the diseases transmitted by mosquitoes reach record levels in Europe

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European health authorities have warned that Europe is experiencing this summer from “Record flambés” of Diseases transmitted by mosquitoesnamely the Western Nile Virus. Moreover, Chikungunya.

According to the European Center for Disease Prevention. Consequently, Control (CEPCM), the mosquito season on the continent becomes “longer and more intense” As temperatures increase and precipitation patterns change, thus creating the ideal conditions for the proliferation of mosquitoes and the propagation of viruses.

“Europe is entering a new phase” – "the new normality": diseases transmitted

Health. For example, climate specialists have also warned that diseases transmitted by mosquitoes could soon become endemic in Europe due to climate change.

“Europe is entering a new phase. Meanwhile, where the longer, more extensive and more intense transmission of diseases transmitted by mosquitoes becomes the new normality”explains Pamela Rendi-Wagner, “the new normality”: diseases transmitted director of the ECDC, in a press release.

So far. 27 households in Chikungunya have declared themselves in 2025, which is a new record for the continent, as well as 335 cases of Western Nile virus, the highest level in three years.

These figures concern the European Union and some other countries in continental Europe.

ECDC officials expect these figures to continue to increase in the coming weeks. Infections generally reach their peak between July and September.

What are the symptoms of these diseases?

The mosquito that spreads chikungunya – of its scientific name Aedes albopictus. or Asian tiger mosquito – was spotted in 16 European countries and 369 regions, against 114 regions ten years ago, according to ECDC.

At the same time, infections by the Western Nile Virus are reported each year in new regions. In 2025. this included the county of Sălaj in Romania and the Latina and “the new normality”: diseases transmitted Frosinone provinces in Italy, where at least 10 people died because of the virus.

“As the landscape of diseases transmitted by mosquitoes is evolving. more and more people in Europe will be exposed to risk in the future”indicates Dr Céline Gossner, who directs the disease section transmitted by food, water, vectors and zoonoses of the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).

Most people infected with the Western Nile Virus have no symptoms. but some develop potentially fatal complications such as encephalitis – brain inflammation – or meningitis – inflammation of protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.

As for chikungunya. it can cause fever, nausea, headache, fatigue, rashes, muscle pain, swelling and joint pain, which can be severe and durable.

Emphasize

Two chikungunya vaccines were approved in the European Union. but no vaccine protects against the Western Nile virus at present.

This is why prevention is considered “the new normality”: diseases transmitted an essential way to slow down the spread of these viruses.

Céline Gossner calls countries to “Strengthen and extend the control of effective and environmentally friendly mosquitoes”.

It is also up to each of us to take measures to limit mosquito bites.

In areas where infected mosquitoes are frequent. CEPCM urges the population to use a mosquito repellent, to wear long sleeves and pants at dawn and twilight, and to use air conditioning, fans, bed mosquito nets and window screens.