Mosquitoes carrying viruses usually seen in the tropics are becoming established in Europe (Image: Getty)
Deadly viruses will in Europe unless urgent action is taken, an expert has warned.
Rising temperatures from man-made climate change mean mosquito-borne viruses once largely confined to tropical parts of the world such as Zika and dengue fever are
Virologist Nerea Irigoyen Vergara has led a team researching Zika virus at the University of Cambridge since 2018.
She told Spanish daily El Pais: “If we don’t prevent it now, dengue or Zika will become endemic in Europe.”
The expert said now is the time to act as the situation is getting worse.
Her warning comes after nine people died in Andalusia, Spain, due to an outbreak of the West Nile virus.
:
The yellow fever mosquito (Aedes aegypti) is one of three species of concern in Europe (Image: Getty)
The entire Mediterranean basin is “highly exposed” to mosquitoes which transmit viruses, according to the expert. This includes one species of mosquito alone which can transmit yellow fever, Zika and Chikungunya.
Three species of mosquito are of particular concern in Europe, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). These are the Asian tiger mosquito, the yellow fever mosquito (Aedes aegypti) and the common house mosquito.
The Asian tiger mosquito is “firmly” established in 13 countries in Europe, meaning populations are self-sustaining. In Cyprus, the yellow fever mosquito has established itself.
The ECDC maintains that climate change has contributed to the increase in outbreaks of mosquito-borne diseases in Europe.
Ms Vergara said the mosquito-borne West Nile virus is already endemic in Spain as it is beginning to be seen in the country throughout the year and in different animals, such as birds.
Don’t miss… [REVEALED] [REPORT]
Mosquito-borne diseases usually found in tropical countries are making inroads in Europe (Image: Getty)
The dengue or Zika viruses are not endemic in Spain, but without preventive measures they become endemic in Europe, according to the expert.
To combat the spread of mosquitoes which can carry the viruses, Ms Vergara suggested the Spanish authorities carry out fumigation and larvae control campaigns in winter and early spring.
She said training health workers to recognised the symptoms, raising public awareness and more investment in research into emerging viral diseases were also required.
Ms Vergara said with climate change the global spread is getting worse, with the millions of cases in Latin America and South America unheard of before now.
While parts of Europe are seeing the types of mosquito that can carry Zika virus and dengue, they are not found in the UK, according to the NHS. The health service also says yellow fever is not found in the UK.
Symptoms of all three diseases include a high temperature and headache. Zika can also cause sore, red eyes, swollen joints, an itchy rash and joint or muscle pain. However, most people who get the virus don’t show symptoms.
Signs of dengue also include pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain, swollen glands and a blotchy rash. Severe cases can include severe tummy pain, repeatedly being sick, fast breathing, bleeding gums or a bleeding nose, fatigue, restlessness and blood in your vomit or faeces.
Yellow fever sufferers can feel sick, vomit, lose their appetite, ache and feel generally unwell, according to the NHS.
More serious symptoms of yellow fever, which can prove fatal, include jaundice, dark pee, stomach pain and bleeding from your eyes, nose, mouth or stomach. Blood might also appear in your poo or vomit.
There are vaccines that help protect against yellow fever and dengue, but not for Zika, which can harm a baby in the womb if a pregnant woman gets it. It can result in a baby having an unusually small head.