Diseases transmitted by mosquitoes: the new normality

He European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has warned Wednesday that “record” outbreaks of diseases transmitted by mosquitoes In Europe, like Western Nile Virus or Chikungunya, will be the “New Normality” Due to “longer and more intense” transmission seasons.

“Europe is entering a new phase, where the most prolonged, generalized and intense transmission of diseases transmitted by mosquitoes It is becoming the new normality. The ECDC collaborates closely with all member states to provide personalized support and timely orientation in public health in order to strengthen the European response, “said ECDC director, Pamela Rendo-Wagner. This situation, according to the agency, is due to climatic and environmental factors such as increased temperatureslonger summers, softer winters and changes in the patterns of rainfall, a series of conditions that favor environments for mosquitoes to be established in areas where they were not present before.

European Chikungunya expansion and western Nile virus

‘Aedes albopictus’, the mosquito that transmits the chikungunya, It has passed in just a decade of 114 European regions to 369being present in up to 16 countries. So far this year, The continent has registered 27 outbreaks for this virusa record for the territory. Besides, For the first time a case of Chikungunya of local transmission in the French region of Alsacia has been notified for the first time (northeast), an “exceptional” fact in this latitude and “highlights the continuous expansion of the risk of transmission to the north.”

Similar situation is that of Western Nile Virusextending to new areas annually; In 2025, the pathogen has been detected for the first time in the central Italian provinces of Latina and Frosinoneand in the Northwest Romanian Salaj district. Besides, Europe has registered the greatest number of cases of this virus in three yearsand the ECDC provides that these infections continue to increase until they reach a seasonal peak between August and September.

That is why the ECDC He has already published new guidelines in which they are described practical measures of surveillance, prevention and control Of the western Nile, Chikungunya, Dengue and IKA viruses, with recommendations adapted to European countries, including those with little experience or have not previously faced the threat of these pathologies.

These guidelines also provide a series of practical and easy -to -use tools to evaluate both risk levels and to implement preparation and control measures. Although There are already vaccines against Chikungunyathere is still no pattern of human use immunization against the western Nile virus.

The importance of prevention, due to future risk

“As the panorama of the diseases transmitted by mosquitoes evolves, More people in Europe will be at risk in the future. This makes the prevention Be more important than ever, both through coordinated public health actions and through personal protection measures, “said the head of the diseases transmitted by food, water, vectors and zoonotics of the ECDC, Céline Gossner. After that, he said The “urgent need” to strengthen and expand mosquito control interventions that are efficient and respectful of the environment.

The agency has also urged people living in affected areasespecially to the older ones, to the children and those with a weakened immune system, to Use mosquito repellent, dress manga and long pants and wear mosquiteras. Finally, it has stressed the importance of health professionals being aware of the circulation of these viruses to guarantee an early diagnosis.