Infosalus.- The ECDC says "record" outbreaks of mosquito-borne diseases in Europe will be the "new normal."

MADRID, 20 (EUROPA PRESS)

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) warned Wednesday that "record-breaking" outbreaks of mosquito-borne diseases in Europe, such as West Nile virus and chikungunya, will be the "new normal" due to "longer and more intense" transmission seasons.

"Europe is entering a new phase, where more prolonged, widespread, and intense transmission of mosquito-borne diseases is becoming the new normal. ECDC is working closely with all Member States to provide tailored support and timely public health guidance to strengthen the European response," said ECDC Director Pamela Rendi-Wagner.

According to the agency, this situation is due to climatic and environmental factors such as rising temperatures, longer summers, milder winters, and changes in rainfall patterns, a series of conditions that favor environments for mosquitoes to establish themselves in areas where they were not previously present.

Aedes albopictus, the mosquito that transmits chikungunya, has spread from 114 European regions to 369 in just one decade, and is present in as many as 16 countries. So far this year, the continent has recorded 27 outbreaks of this virus, a record for the territory.

Furthermore, a locally transmitted case of chikungunya has been reported for the first time in the northeastern French region of Alsace, an "exceptional" event at this latitude and one that "highlights the continued expansion of the risk of transmission northward."

A similar situation exists with the West Nile virus, which spreads to new areas annually. In 2025, the pathogen was detected for the first time in the central Italian provinces of Latina and Frosinone, and in the northwestern Romanian district of Salaj.

Furthermore, Europe has recorded its highest number of cases of this virus in three years, and the ECDC expects these infections to continue to rise until they reach a seasonal peak between August and September.

For this reason, the ECDC has now published new guidelines outlining practical measures for the surveillance, prevention, and control of West Nile, chikungunya, dengue, and IKA viruses, with recommendations tailored to European countries, including those with little experience or that have not previously faced the threat of these diseases.

These guidelines also provide a series of practical and easy-to-use tools for assessing risk levels and implementing preparedness and control measures. Although vaccines against chikungunya are already available, there is still no immunization schedule for human use against West Nile virus.

"As the mosquito-borne disease landscape evolves, more people in Europe will be at risk in the future. This makes prevention more important than ever, both through coordinated public health actions and personal protective measures," said Céline Gossner, Head of the Foodborne, Waterborne, Vector-borne and Zoonotic Diseases Section at ECDC.

Following this, he highlighted the "urgent need" to strengthen and expand mosquito control interventions that are efficient and environmentally friendly.

The agency has also urged people living in affected areas, especially the elderly, children, and those with weakened immune systems, to use mosquito repellent, wear long sleeves and pants, and use mosquito nets.

Finally, he stressed the importance of healthcare professionals being aware of the circulation of these viruses to ensure early diagnosis.