Europe's Mosquito Menace: When Exotic Diseases Become Homegrown Threats Tropical diseases like dengue fever and chikungunya are increasingly common in Europe, with the recent outbreak of 199 cases of dengue fever in Italy serving as a stark reminder that these illnesses are no longer confined to their native habitats.
Climate change is creating conditions that allow invasive mosquito species like the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) to thrive in regions previously considered too cold or temperate.
This mosquito's adaptability and ability to breed in urban environments make it a formidable force, capable of spreading disease locally without the need for imported infections.