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.

Express.co.uk #

The Royal Society #

The News International #

Guardian #

WHO #

CDC #

UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology #

American Society for Microbiology #

European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control #

Metaculus #

Chikungunya poses a far greater threat to Europe than previously understood, with new research revealing the virus can spread at temperatures as low as 13 degrees Celsius — significantly lower than the 16-18 degrees previously thought necessary. This expanded temperature threshold means transmission risk now extends across much larger areas of the continent for longer periods each year, with southern Europe facing potential outbreaks lasting up to nine months and even the UK vulnerable during summer months as warming temperatures enable the Asian tiger mosquito to establish populations northward.

Chikungunya poses a far greater threat to Europe than previously understood, with new research revealing the virus can spread at temperatures as low as 13 degrees Celsius — significantly lower than the 16-18 degrees previously thought necessary. This expanded temperature threshold means transmission risk now extends across much larger areas of the continent for longer periods each year, with southern Europe facing potential outbreaks lasting up to nine months and even the UK vulnerable during summer months as warming temperatures enable the Asian tiger mosquito to establish populations northward.

The return of chikungunya to Europe represents a planetary health crisis driven by climate change, urbanization and global mobility that demands immediate cross-border preparedness rather than alarmist predictions. Real solutions require strategic investments in surveillance networks, healthcare worker training, vaccine stockpiling and One Health partnerships that bridge continents — not fear-mongering about temperature thresholds that ignore the complex interplay of immunity, serotypes and actual transmission patterns that make chikungunya far less prevalent than dengue despite comparable climate suitability.

The return of chikungunya to Europe represents a planetary health crisis driven by climate change, urbanization and global mobility that demands immediate cross-border preparedness rather than alarmist predictions. Real solutions require strategic investments in surveillance networks, healthcare worker training, vaccine stockpiling and One Health partnerships that bridge continents — not fear-mongering about temperature thresholds that ignore the complex interplay of immunity, serotypes and actual transmission patterns that make chikungunya far less prevalent than dengue despite comparable climate suitability.

Faculty of Medical Sciences

UCL experts urge strategic shift as Chikungunya virus returns to Europe

Climate Change

VALERY HACHE/AFP via Getty Images

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.

Chikungunya Virus Can Spread Across Europe, Study Claims

Chikungunya Virus SpreadsCan toSpread Across Europe, AmidStudy Rising CasesClaims

The Spin

Go Deeper

Articles on this story

Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters
Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters