With climate change, Europe is increasingly threatened by diseases that were previously characteristic of tropical regions, including Chikungunya fever, which is being carried by mosquitoes that are persistently taking over new territories, writes Politico.
French health authorities reported on the 10th of September that 400 cases of Chikungunya fever have been registered in the country, which is a sharp increase compared to the previous year.
Data compiled on the 8th of September show that 382 people have been infected with Chikungunya fever from mosquito bites in mainland France, and 81 new cases of the disease were detected in the first week of September alone. Another 966 patients with the fever contracted the fever while traveling. France has also detected 21 cases of dengue fever locally in the country.
This is a very significant increase in the number of cases of Chikungunya fever, as
only one locally transmitted case was recorded in 2024.
Chikungunya fever causes flu-like symptoms, such as high fever, headache, dizziness, rash and muscle and joint pain. A large proportion of those infected recover completely, but 30 to 40% have permanent consequences in the form of chronic arthritis.
Climate change is making the environment more suitable for insects that were previously not characteristic of Europe, one of which is the vector of Chikungunya fever.
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