Chikungunya Threat Expands Across Europe Due to Climate Change
A painful tropical disease, chikungunya, is now transmissible by mosquitoes across much of Europe, according to recent research. Rising temperatures, driven by the climate crisis, are extending the period during which infections are possible, posing a growing public health concern.
The Rising Risk of Chikungunya
The analysis, published in the Journal of Royal Society Interface, is the first to fully assess the effect of temperature on the incubation time of the chikungunya virus within the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus), which has become established in Europe in recent decades. The study revealed the minimum temperature required for infection to occur is 2.5°C lower than previously estimated, a “quite shocking” difference according to researchers European Commission.
Understanding Chikungunya
Chikungunya virus was first identified in 1952 in Tanzania and was historically confined to tropical regions, causing millions of infections annually. The disease is characterized by severe and prolonged joint pain, which can be debilitating and, in some cases, fatal for young children and older adults. American Society for Microbiology.
Recent Outbreaks and Spread
While a small number of cases have been reported in over 10 European countries in recent years, significant outbreaks occurred in France and Italy in 2025, with France reporting over 800 cases after recording only 30-odd cases in the previous decade. Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy. These outbreaks were often sparked by infected travelers returning from tropical regions where the virus is endemic.
The Role of the Asian Tiger Mosquito
The Asian tiger mosquito, which bites during the day, is expanding its range northward across Europe as temperatures rise. While detected in the UK, it is not yet established there. European Commission. The mosquito’s ability to transmit chikungunya, dengue, and Zika viruses is a growing concern.
Climate Change and Mosquito Lifecycles
Rising temperatures, longer summer seasons, milder winters, and changing rainfall patterns are creating more favorable conditions for mosquito populations to thrive. Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy. The study found that the cut-off temperature for transmission is 13-14°C, meaning infections are now possible for more than six months of the year in Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Greece, and for three to five months in Belgium, France, Germany, Switzerland, and other European countries.
What Can Be Done?
According to Dr. Diana Rojas Alvarez, who leads the World Health Organization’s team on viruses transmitted by insect and tick bites, community education on removing standing water – where mosquitoes breed – is crucial. Wearing long, light-colored clothing and using insect repellent can also prevent bites. European Commission. Health authorities also need to establish surveillance systems to monitor mosquito populations and disease activity.
Looking Ahead
Scientists are observing all-year-round Asian tiger mosquito activity in southern Europe, suggesting that chikungunya outbreaks are likely to become more frequent and larger as the continent continues to warm. The Lancet. Continued efforts to prevent the establishment of the tiger mosquito in regions like the UK are essential to mitigate the risk of local transmission.