The European Scientist : How does climate change specifically facilitate the expansion of arthropod vectors like mosquitoes, and what are the projected public health consequences for Europe in the coming decades?
Climate change, marked by rising global temperatures and shifting rainfall patterns, is creating increasingly favorable environments for mosquitos, including the Aedes species. These highly adaptable mosquitos, capable of transmitting the dengue virus are now expanding into new areas across Europe. As of 2024, established populations have doubled and are now found in 30 European countries compared to 17 countries in 2017. Dengue cases have surged from 1,572 cases in 2022 to over 4,900 in 2023.
These dengue outbreaks signal a growing public health concern not just for dengue, but for other mosquito-borne diseases.Outbreaks can put significant burdens on communities, including greater strain on healthcare systems, and increased morbidity and mortality rates. Addressing these challenges requires an integrated approach, including surveillance, vector control, community education and new interventions like vaccination.
TES.: In what ways do extreme weather events exacerbate food- and water-borne diseases, and how do these intersect with mosquito-borne threats to create compounded risks for vulnerable populations?
Dr. EEBG. : Extreme climate events such as heatwaves, flooding and increased precipitation create ideal conditions for mosquito breeding and facilitate the spread of water- and food-borne diseases. Flooding saturates soils and mobilizes pathogens, contaminating water supplies and leading to outbreaks like leptospirosis and cholera. These events also extend dengue transmission seasons and increase the risk of severe outbreaks.
The intersection of these disease pathways creates particularly severe risks for vulnerable populations who lack adequate safeguards and interventions. Floods and storms commonly lead to wastewater overflow, resulting in direct and food-borne transmission of noroviruses, hantavirus, hepatitis and Cryptosporidium, while increased mosquitoe populations may expand the pathogens they transmit.
TES.: What role should enhanced surveillance networks, such as ECDC’s VectorNet*, play in early detection of climate-driven outbreaks, and how can EU-global collaborations strengthen these efforts?
Dr. EEBG. : Enhanced surveillance networks, such as the European Environment and Epidemiology Network and European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control’s (ECDC) VectorNet, are critical to address the potential increase of dengue and mosquito-borne diseases. These initiatives integrate environmental and epidemiological data and map the distribution of disease-carrying vectors which provide essential, real-time information for the early identification of outbreaks as climate conditions shift.
Policy recommendations call for expanding and strengthening surveillance, consolidating reporting guidelines and fostering regular scientific exchange between ECDC, industry and global partners. Collaboration with other global Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and authorities from third countries is vital to enhance diagnostic capabilities and reporting mechanisms, bolstering preparedness and response.
TES. : Is stockpiling vaccines and countermeasures essential for addressing mosquito-borne diseases? What lessons can we draw from the COVID-19 crisis to inform future strategies?
Dr. EEBG. : In the case of a potential disease outbreak, vaccine stockpiling, alongside other countermeasures, are critical for rapid response to mosquito-borne disease outbreaks that allows the vaccine supply chain to respond appropriately in emergency situations. The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the importance of preparedness, rapid and flexible vaccine development and coordinated deployment.
Equally important is the implementation of and investment in timely, routine immunization programs, which serve as the first and most effective line of defense against outbreaks. Regular vaccination efforts, particularly in regions at high risk, help build population immunity before disease surges, reduce the likelihood of outbreaks occurring and protect vulnerable populations.
TES. : Your recommendations appear to be directed straight at EU stakeholders, what about the principle of subsidiarity? Shouldn’t each country take primary responsibility for its own countermeasures?
Dr. EEBG. : The principle of subsidiarity means each EU country leads its own health response. However, climate change-related mosquito-borne diseases cross borders quickly so national efforts alone are not enough. EU-level coordination is essential for early outbreak detection, harmonized reporting and equitable access to vaccines and countermeasures. Within the EU, regulatory approvals must be streamlined to improve equitable access.
While the European Medicines Agency (EMA) plays a key role in ensuring efficient regulatory approval for emergency countermeasures, local-level barriers remain and countries may impose additional market access or age-group restrictions. Our recommendations therefore urge EU’s Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA) and EMA to explore globally approved products to accelerate access to countermeasures, encourage HERA and ECDC to include climate change-related mosquito-borne diseases among their priority health threats and for HERA to lead EU coordination efforts.
*European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control
Further reading
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