Monitoring Mosquito-Carried Ailments like West Nile Virus, Chikungunya, and Dengue Fever Throughout Europe
Europe is currently experiencing an increase in mosquito-borne diseases, with the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) reporting nearly 470 cases of West Nile virus, chikungunya, and dengue so far this year.
The common mosquito types that spread these diseases are becoming increasingly prevalent in Madeira, Cyprus, the Black Sea, and a large part of Europe. Chikungunya, in particular, has been established in a significant portion of the continent.
France has reported 111 chikungunya cases this summer, with 16 active clusters of infection still ongoing. Italy has recorded seven cases, while Portugal and Italy each have reported two cases of dengue.
Chikungunya can cause symptoms such as fever, nausea, headache, fatigue, rash, muscle aches, joint swelling, and joint pain. Although severe symptoms and death from chikungunya are rare, babies and older adults are at higher risk.
West Nile virus has claimed at least 10 lives in Italy this year, with most cases among men aged 65 and older. The virus has been reported in eight European countries, including Italy, Greece, Serbia, Romania, France, Hungary, Spain, and Bulgaria.
While there are two chikungunya vaccines approved in the EU, there are no specific treatments for either West Nile virus or chikungunya.
To combat these diseases, a combination of strategies is essential. Eliminating mosquito breeding sites, protecting individuals from bites, enhancing surveillance, and scaling up public health responses tailored to local risks are key approaches.
Eliminating mosquito breeding sites involves removing or covering standing water where mosquitoes lay eggs, such as flower pots, gutters, old tyres, and water containers near homes. Personal protection against mosquito bites includes using insect repellents, wearing long-sleeved shirts and trousers, and employing physical barriers like window screens, bed nets, air conditioning, or fans.
Public health surveillance and guidance are provided by European authorities, led by the ECDC, who offer timely surveillance and practical toolkits to assess risk and deploy tailored control measures for diseases like West Nile virus and chikungunya. Special caution should be taken by high-risk groups, such as the elderly, children, and immunocompromised individuals.
People returning from regions with active mosquito-borne viruses may be required to wait before donating blood to avoid transmission through transfusion. Vaccination developments for chikungunya virus disease are underway and may enhance prevention in the future.
As European summers grow longer and warmer with milder winters, the mosquito season extends, so control measures must adapt and be sustained to match this shifting risk. Addressing climate and environmental changes is crucial in the fight against mosquito-borne diseases in Europe.
In summary, preventing mosquito-borne diseases in Europe during summer revolves around controlling mosquito habitats, protecting individuals from bites, enhancing surveillance, and scaling up public health responses tailored to local risks.
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