Express.co.uk

Panic as terrifying tropical disease nears UK borders

The Royal Society

Temperature Sensitive Incubation Transmissibility

The News International

Study finds excruciating tropical disease expanding its reach across Europe

Guardian

Excruciating tropical disease can now be transmitted in most of Europe, study finds

Chikungunya fact sheet

About Chikungunya

UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology

Debilitating virus can spread in cool weather, increasing health risk in Europe

American Society for Microbiology

Climate, Vectors and Virus Keep Chikungunya a Global Focus

European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control

Seasonal surveillance for chikungunya virus disease in the EU/EEA for 2025

Metaculus

Will humanity use a gene drive to wipe at least one species of mosquito off the face of the Earth by 2100?

Chikungunya virus was first detected in Tanzania in 1952 and has historically been confined to tropical regions. Recent research published in the Journal of the Royal Society Interface found the minimum temperature at which the virus can be transmitted is 13 to 14 degrees Celsius.

Chikungunya virus was first detected in Tanzania in 1952 and has historically been confined to tropical regions. Recent research published in the Journal of the Royal Society Interface found the minimum temperature at which the virus can be transmitted is 13 to 14 degrees Celsius.

Large-scale outbreaks of chikungunya hit France and Italy in 2025, with France recording over 800 cases last year compared to approximately 30 cases over the previous decade. Between January and June 2025, the UK reported a record 73 cases among people who contracted the virus abroad.

Large-scale outbreaks of chikungunya hit France and Italy in 2025, with France recording over 800 cases last year compared to approximately 30 cases over the previous decade. Between January and June 2025, the UK reported a record 73 cases among people who contracted the virus abroad.

The Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus, has invaded Europe in recent decades and is now the primary vector of chikungunya virus in the region. The mosquito has been detected in the UK but is not yet established, according to surveillance programmes.

The Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus, has invaded Europe in recent decades and is now the primary vector of chikungunya virus in the region. The mosquito has been detected in the UK but is not yet established, according to surveillance programmes.

Chikungunya causes fever and severe joint pain that is often debilitating and may last for weeks, months or even years. The disease can be fatal in young children and older adults, and there is currently no specific antiviral treatment available for the infection.

Chikungunya causes fever and severe joint pain that is often debilitating and may last for weeks, months or even years. The disease can be fatal in young children and older adults, and there is currently no specific antiviral treatment available for the infection.

The study found infections can occur for more than six months of the year in Spain, Portugal, Italy and Greece, and for three to five months in Belgium, France, Germany and Switzerland. In south-east England, conditions may be suitable for transmission for two months of the year.

The study found infections can occur for more than six months of the year in Spain, Portugal, Italy and Greece, and for three to five months in Belgium, France, Germany and Switzerland. In south-east England, conditions may be suitable for transmission for two months of the year.

Two chikungunya vaccines have received regulatory approvals in several countries, but the vaccines are not yet widely available or in widespread use. The World Health Organization is reviewing vaccine trial data to inform possible recommendations for use in at-risk populations.

Two chikungunya vaccines have received regulatory approvals in several countries, but the vaccines are not yet widely available or in widespread use. The World Health Organization is reviewing vaccine trial data to inform possible recommendations for use in at-risk populations.

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Excruciating tropical disease can now be transmitted in most of Europe, study finds

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