The World Health Organisation (WHO) warns that cases of dengue fever are rising across Europe due to climate change.
Increased temperatures are creating a more favourable environment for the disease-carrying mosquitoes, says Dr. Diana Rojas of the WHO.
This year, 82 cases have been reported in Italy, 43 in France and three in Spain, and one person has succumbed to the infection.
Globally, over 80% of all reported cases are in North and South America.
Over the past two decades, dengue cases worldwide have skyrocketed from 500,000 to over 5 million. In 2023 alone, 5,000 people died as a result of the disease.
Presently, small populations of the mosquitos that carry dengue and yellow fever, the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) and the Aedes aegypti, have established themselves in Southern Europe. Their eggs survive the winter, hatching when the weather warms up.
For most individuals, the infection is moderate. However, in 10% of cases, severe complications occur.
