Tropical diseases on the rise: Chikungunya near the border!

Tropical diseases on the rise: Chikungunya near the border!

Concern about tropical diseases is increasing in Europe as the prevalence of mosquitoes and the associated infection risks continue to grow. Loud daily news Infections with tropical diseases have been known among travelers returning from tropical countries for some time. But now worrying trends are emerging: more and more people are becoming infected directly in Europe.

An alarming development is the indigenous infection with the Chikungunya virus, which was recently discovered in France near the German border. The sick person stayed in Lipsheim and Fegersheim RND reported. This infection is no exception: a total of six local cases have been detected on the Mediterranean coast of France in recent weeks, increasing the likelihood that such diseases will also become a reality in Germany.

Climate change and mosquito populations

Climate change plays a critical role in the spread of tropical diseases, particularly through the spread of warm climatic conditions that favor mosquitoes to thrive. This spread is already leading to a worrying increase in local outbreaks of diseases such as chikungunya, dengue and malaria in southern Europe, according to epidemiologist Hendrik Wilking from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI). daily news. The Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) in particular has gained a foothold in regions such as Baden-Württemberg, the Rhine-Main region and North Rhine-Westphalia in recent years.

The acidification of the climate not only promotes the survival of these mosquitoes, but also the rapid multiplication of the viruses that they transmit. In the last ten years, the Asian tiger mosquito has spread dramatically in Germany, and it is often introduced unknowingly by travelers. Increasing infections are also reflected in the current RKI figures: 84 cases of chikungunya, 545 cases of dengue and 421 cases of malaria were registered by June 30, 2025 alone.

Prevention measures and challenges

Without question: measures to combat the mosquito population are urgently needed. Destroying breeding sites in your own garden and using larvicides are interactions that each individual can tackle. However, experts emphasize that it is time in Germany to develop effective therapies and prevention strategies for tropical diseases, as there is a lot of catching up to do. “It is necessary to act quickly,” say the experts, who also point out the increasing number of infections and the number of unreported cases, as tropical virus infections are often difficult to diagnose.

With climatic developments, it is expected that such disease transmissions will increase in the future. In this context, it is well known that dengue, chikungunya and Zika viruses, among others, can be transmitted by infected mosquitoes. The European Disease Authority is also warning of new dangers: more and more infected people could be transmitted directly to mosquitoes, which could make the situation even more complicated.

Those with chronic illnesses, pregnant women and infants are particularly at risk. There are already approved vaccines against chikungunya in Germany, but their use is severely restricted. It is therefore all the more important that travelers obtain comprehensive information about tropical diseases and recommended vaccinations before traveling abroad.

Time is of the essence because with every warmer season the threat of tropical diseases in Europe seems to be increasing. Citizens are encouraged to be vigilant and actively participate in local mosquito control initiatives. Ultimately, we all share responsibility for health protection in our region.