Britons traveling abroad this summer may encounter dangerous mosquito-borne illnesses that are spreading across popular European vacation spots. The mosquito season is currently at its peak in Europe, fueled by rising temperatures that provide ideal conditions for diseases like dengue fever and chikungunya to thrive. These viruses can lead to severe symptoms such as paralysis, vision impairment, joint discomfort, and even fatalities.
Mosquitoes transmit these viruses by first biting animals infected with the disease and then passing it on to humans through subsequent bites. Approximately 1,000 suspected cases of these diseases have been reported in prominent British holiday destinations, including Spain, France, Italy, Portugal, and Greece.
In Italy, 38 individuals have succumbed to West Nile infections, as per reports from MailOnline. The resurgence of the West Nile virus this summer has been noted in various Italian cities, including Florence and Verona, according to data from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Additionally, Romania and North Macedonia have confirmed three cases of West Nile virus collectively. The virus originated in Uganda’s West Nile district in 1937 and has since spread to Europe.
While most individuals infected with the West Nile virus exhibit no or mild symptoms, a small proportion (roughly one in 150) may experience severe complications, such as life-threatening meningitis and encephalitis, which can cause inflammation of the brain and surrounding tissues.
The less common Dengue fever has resulted in 19 suspected cases in France, along with four in Italy and two in Portugal. Symptoms typically include fever, headaches, swollen glands, rashes, and joint pain, resembling flu-like conditions. In severe cases, Dengue fever may progress to include bleeding in vomit or stool. The World Health Organization estimates that there are between 100 million and 400 million dengue infections worldwide annually.
Concerns have been raised by experts regarding disease-carrying mosquitoes, with climate change-induced warmer temperatures exacerbating the issue. Professor Rachel Lowe, associated with the global health resilience group at the Barcelona Supercomputing Center in Spain, emphasized the impact of global warming on disease vectors like malaria and dengue fever, leading to extended seasons for mosquito-borne illnesses and more frequent, complex outbreaks in vulnerable regions.
By selecting Daily Mirror as a ‘Preferred Source’ on Google News, readers can access preferred news content conveniently.