Europe’s Chikungunya Surge Signals a New Public Health Reality

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has issued a clear warning: Europe is entering a new phase in its public health landscape. Mosquito-borne diseases, once considered rare on the continent, are now emerging with increasing frequency and intensity. In 2025, Europe recorded 27 chikungunya outbreaks, marking a historic high.

The spread of Aedes albopictus, the mosquito responsible for transmitting chikungunya, has expanded rapidly. It is now present in 16 countries and 369 regions, a dramatic increase from just over 100 regions a decade ago. This expansion is closely tied to climate change. Longer summers, milder winters, and shifting rainfall patterns have created ideal conditions for mosquito survival and reproduction.

This trend is not unique to Europe. Recent outbreaks in China and persistently high case numbers in Brazil—where over 6.8 million arbovirus cases were reported in 2024 alone—highlight a global challenge. In Brazil, Aedes aegypti, already known for spreading dengue and Zika, continues to pose a major threat, reinforcing that the risk is not limited to a single mosquito species.

According to the ECDC, the combination of favorable climate conditions and increased international travel has made it easier for new transmission hotspots to emerge in regions previously considered low-risk. This mobility accelerates the spread of mosquitoes and increases the likelihood of local outbreaks.

Recent data also shows a surge in West Nile virus cases, the highest in the past three years, with fatalities reported. In response, new surveillance and prevention guidelines have been issued, particularly targeting countries with limited experience in managing arboviral diseases.

As climate and global mobility continue to reshape geographic boundaries, arboviruses are no longer rare occurrences in Europe. They are now part of the continent’s evolving public health reality—one that demands coordinated action, innovative solutions, and sustained vigilance.