Climate change is bringing tiger mosquitoes to Europe and increasing dengue fever cases. A team of scientists from Sweden and Germany warns that tiger mosquitoes are spreading more and more across Europe due to climate change, raising the risk that tropical diseases like dengue fever could become endemic.

Almost half of the global population is now at risk of contracting dengue fever and chikungunya, diseases that were once limited to tropical regions, due to the increasing global temperature.

The study found that cases have become more frequent and severe since 2010, in line with rising temperatures.

Both viruses, transmitted by mosquitoes, can be fatal. Symptoms include high fever, headache, body pains, nausea, and rash, reports Politico.

Specifically, the tiger mosquito is moving further north as temperatures increase due to anthropogenic climate change.

In 2024, the hottest year on record, a total of 304 dengue fever cases were reported in the EU, mainly in Italy, Croatia, and Spain. Over the past 15 years, cases totaled 275.

In 2023 alone, there were 130 cases, compared to just 71 between 2010 and 2021.

The study was published in the journal The Lancet Planetary Health.