European Union officials warned there was a problem. increased risk of viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes such as dengue fever and chikungunya in Europe due to climate change.. West Nile virus killed more than 100 people in the EU last year, and that number is growing.
As there is a warming trend in Europe, the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control conditions are more favorable with more frequent and severe heat waves and floods and longer and hotter summers for invasive mosquito species such as Aedes albopictus And aedes aegypti.
The Stockholm-based agency said in a report: Aedes albopictus It is a known transmitter of chikungunya and dengue viruses and has become established further north and west in Europe. other mosquito aedes aegyptiKnown to transmit dengue, yellow fever, chikungunya, Zika and West Nile viruses, it has been resident in Cyprus since 2022 and may spread to other European countries.
Ten years ago, the mosquito Aedes albopictus established in eight European countries with 114 affected regions. This year, the mosquito is resident in 13 countries and 337 sites, said the ECDC.
There will be more cases and more deaths.
“If this continues, we can expect to see more cases and possibly deaths from diseases such as dengue, chikungunya and West Nile fever. Western,” ECDC director Andrea Ammon said in statements collected by the AP: “Efforts should focus on ways to control mosquito populations, improve surveillance, and implement personal protection measures.”
In the past, diseases were imported from abroad, now “we have cases in the country” Ammon said at a press conference.
The agency noted that ways to control mosquito populations include removing standing water where mosquitoes breed, using environmentally friendly larvacides, and promoting community awareness of mosquito control.
to protect yourselfThe ECDC noted that people can use mosquito nets, sleep or rest in rooms with mosquito nets or air conditioning, wear clothes that cover most of the body, and use mosquito repellent.
Diseases and treatments
Currently, there is no specific treatment. dengue. About 80% of infections are mild, but severe cases can cause internal bleeding, organ damage and death.
chikungunya feverA debilitating disease suspected to affect tens of thousands of people, it was first identified in Africa in 1953. It causes severe joint pain, but is rarely fatal. It has no vaccine and is mainly treated with pain relievers.
Amon claimed In 2022, there were 1,339 cases of locally acquired West Nile infection, including 104 deaths, The highest number since an outbreak in 2018.
f symptomsWest Nile fever They may include headache, fever, muscle and joint pain, nausea, and fatigue. People with this condition usually get better on their own, although symptoms can last for weeks to months.
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