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?

A recent study published in the Journal of the Royal Society Interface on Wednesday has warned that a painful disease previously confined largely to tropical regions can now spread substantially across Europe.

A recent study published in the Journal of the Royal Society Interface on Wednesday has warned that a painful disease previously confined largely to tropical regions can now spread substantially across Europe.

First detected in Tanzania in 1952, the chikungunya virus causes fever and severe joint pain that is often debilitating and prolonged, lasting for weeks, months or years. The disease can be fatal in young children and older adults, and there is currently no specific antiviral treatment available for the infection.

First detected in Tanzania in 1952, the chikungunya virus causes fever and severe joint pain that is often debilitating and prolonged, lasting for weeks, months or 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 virus is transmitted through mosquito bites, with the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) having invaded Europe in recent decades — after being first detected in 2007 — and becoming the primary vector of the chikungunya virus in the region.

The virus is transmitted through mosquito bites, with the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) having invaded Europe in recent decades — after being first detected in 2007 — and becoming the primary vector of the chikungunya virus in the region.

Researchers from the U.K. Centre for Ecology &amp; Hydrology, however, found that the minimum cut-off temperature for the virus's transmission is lower than previously thought, at 13.84°C, with an upper limit of 31.85°C.

Researchers from the U.K. Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, however, found that the minimum cut-off temperature for the virus's transmission is lower than previously thought, at 13.84°C, with an upper limit of 31.85°C.

As a result, the study concluded that the disease was transmissible in 50% of Europe’s geographical area between July and August, with southern regions suitable for the virus from May to November. The researchers identified Albania, Greece, Italy, Malta, Spain and Portugal as the countries most at risk.

As a result, the study concluded that the disease was transmissible in 50% of Europe’s geographical area between July and August, with southern regions suitable for the virus from May to November. The researchers identified Albania, Greece, Italy, Malta, Spain and Portugal as the countries most at risk.

The research follows reports of the chikungunya virus in 10 European countries, with both Italy and France suffering large outbreaks in 2025, recording 384 and 788 cases, respectively, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.

The research follows reports of the chikungunya virus in 10 European countries, with both Italy and France suffering large outbreaks in 2025, recording 384 and 788 cases, respectively, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.

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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.

Europe faces an alarming expansion of chikungunya risk as new research reveals the virus spreads at temperatures as low as 13 degrees Celsius, far below previous estimates. The Asian tiger mosquito is marching northward through warming European nations, with record outbreaks already hitting France and Italy in 2025. Climate change is creating ideal conditions for this invasive species to establish in the UK, threatening public health across regions previously considered safe from tropical diseases.

Europe faces an alarming expansion of chikungunya risk as new research reveals the virus spreads at temperatures as low as 13 degrees Celsius, far below previous estimates. The Asian tiger mosquito is marching northward through warming European nations, with record outbreaks already hitting France and Italy in 2025. Climate change is creating ideal conditions for this invasive species to establish in the UK, threatening public health across regions previously considered safe from tropical diseases.

Chikungunya's 2025 surge stems from interconnected global factors beyond simple temperature thresholds, with the Americas bearing the heaviest burden and Brazil experiencing the greatest impact. Viral adaptation, urbanization and international travel drive transmission more significantly than climate alone, as demonstrated by genetic mutations enabling new vector efficiency. Comprehensive mosquito management and vaccine deployment offer proven solutions, while China's aggressive multi-strategy response shows effective outbreak control is achievable.

Chikungunya's 2025 surge stems from interconnected global factors beyond simple temperature thresholds, with the Americas bearing the heaviest burden and Brazil experiencing the greatest impact. Viral adaptation, urbanization and international travel drive transmission more significantly than climate alone, as demonstrated by genetic mutations enabling new vector efficiency. Comprehensive mosquito management and vaccine deployment offer proven solutions, while China's aggressive multi-strategy response shows effective outbreak control is achievable.

Climate Change

Chikungunya Virus Spreads to Europe Amid Rising Cases

Europe

Diseases & conditions

Health

Infectious diseases

Europe faces an alarming expansion of the chikungunya virus as new research reveals the virus spreads at temperatures as low as 13°C, far below previous estimates. Climate change is exacerbating this risk, creating ideal conditions for the mosquitoes that transmit this disease to establish in Europe, threatening public health across regions previously considered safe from tropical diseases.

Europe faces an alarming expansion of the chikungunya virus as new research reveals the virus spreads at temperatures as low as 13°C, far below previous estimates. Climate change is exacerbating this risk, creating ideal conditions for the mosquitoes that transmit this disease to establish in Europe, threatening public health across regions previously considered safe from tropical diseases.

While the chikungunya virus poses an increasing risk to Europe, individuals must not forget that the disease is a global threat across Africa, Asia and the Americas. In these regions and others, climate change is not the only driver of the virus; viral adaptation and international travel also play significant roles, necessitating a global and collaborative response to tackle the disease.

While the chikungunya virus poses an increasing risk to Europe, individuals must not forget that the disease is a global threat across Africa, Asia and the Americas. In these regions and others, climate change is not the only driver of the virus; viral adaptation and international travel also play significant roles, necessitating a global and collaborative response to tackle the disease.

There is a 69% chance that humanity will use a gene drive to wipe out at least one species of mosquito from the face of the Earth by 2100, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

There is a 69% chance that humanity will use a gene drive to wipe out at least one species of mosquito from the face of the Earth by 2100, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Chikungunya Virus Spreads to Europe Amid Rising Cases

Chikungunya Virus Spreads to Europe Amid Rising Cases

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Chikungunya Virus Spreads to Europe Amid Rising Cases

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