Climate Change Fuels Spread of Dengue Fever in Europe

Key Points:

1. Climate change is contributing to the spread of dengue fever in Europe, with warmer temperatures helping the Aedes albopictus mosquito thrive.
2. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) reported a significant increase in locally transmitted dengue cases in 2022 and 2023, particularly in France and Italy.
3. In 2022, France reported 65 cases of locally transmitted dengue fever, and in 2023, the number of cases rose to 130.
4. Dengue fever is not endemic in Europe, but the virus can be introduced into the community through travelers who bring it from abroad.
5. The Aedes albopictus mosquito, which transmits dengue, chikungunya, and Zika viruses, has established itself in many parts of Europe, particularly in the Mediterranean and Central Europe.

Background:

1. Dengue fever is a viral infection that can cause high fever, headache, and nausea, and can be fatal in severe cases.
2. The disease is typically found in tropical and subtropical regions, but climate change is allowing the Aedes mosquito to thrive in new areas.

Causes of the Spread:

1. Warmer temperatures:
2. Expansion of established mosquito populations: Higher temperatures, especially at night, are allowing the mosquitoes to breed and thrive, leading to an increase in their population.
3. Expansion of established mosquito populations: The Aedes albopictus mosquito has spread to many areas around the Mediterranean and Central Europe, and has increased in abundance in areas close to larger population centers.
4. Increased international travel: Travelers from dengue-endemic countries are bringing the virus back to Europe, increasing the risk of local outbreaks.
5. Vector control: Inadequate vector control measures, such as mosquito eradication and surveillance, are allowing the mosquitoes to spread.

Consequences:

1. The increase in locally transmitted dengue cases poses a significant public health risk, particularly in areas with high population densities.
2. The disease can have severe consequences, including death, if left untreated.
3. The spread of dengue fever in Europe highlights the need for increased awareness, surveillance, and control measures to prevent the spread of the disease.

Expert Insights:

1. "Increased international travel from dengue-endemic countries will also increase the risk of imported cases, and inevitably also the risk of local outbreaks." - Andrea Ammon, ECDC Director
2. "I believe that what we saw in southern France this past summer [2023] and in other parts of southern Europe is part of a threshold phenomenon. It is true that temperatures have been rising for a long time, but we have more and more [other] factors acting together synergistically." - Thomas Jaenisch, Professor of Global Health at the Colorado School of Public Health
3. The WHO's dengue classification of 2009 distinguishes between severe and non-severe dengue, highlighting the importance of accurate diagnosis and treatment.

Conclusion:

The spread of dengue fever in Europe highlights the need for urgent action to address climate change and its impact on public health. The disease serves as a warning for the need for increased awareness, surveillance, and control measures to prevent the spread of diseases in non-endemic regions. The situation underscores the importance of international cooperation and collaboration to address the global health implications of climate change.

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