Climate change and the spread of <i>Aedes</i> mosquito-borne viruses in Europe
Giovanni Rezza
Abstract
Several outbreaks of chikungunya and dengue occurred on Mediterranean coasts during the hot season in the last two decades. Aedes albopictus was the vector involved in all the events. As a consequence of climate change, the ‘Tiger’ mosquito is now spreading through central Europe, and in the summer of 2023, for the first time, mosquito control measures were implemented in Paris to prevent autochthonous transmission of dengue. Rapid changes in the distribution of tropical disease vectors need to be taken into account in future risk assessment activities.
Topics & Concepts
ChikungunyaDengue feverAedes albopictusOutbreakVector (molecular biology)AedesMediterranean climateClimate changeGeographyAedes aegyptiBiologyTransmission (telecommunications)EcologyVirologyVeterinary medicineLarvaMedicineRecombinant DNAEngineeringBiochemistryGeneElectrical engineeringMosquito-borne diseases and controlViral Infections and VectorsMalaria Research and Control