As temperatures rise, a variety of disease-carrying insects have arrived north from places like Africa, Asia, and Central and South America.
This year has been an unprecedented one for many European countries, which have seen serious infections and illnesses, most of which have been life-threatening. However, experts are warning of more serious infections that may pose a threat to you during your summer holiday in the world’s favourite destination.
Scientists say that as temperatures rise, a variety of disease-carrying insects have come north from places like Africa, Asia and Central and South America, spreading infections previously unknown in cold areas.
Warmer weather favors the spread of infections
According to the latest annual report from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, three different types of disease-carrying mosquitoes, three types of ticks prone to infecting and one species of nasty fly have become “established” in several European countries. As the climate is now more “suitable” for these pathogens to breed and spread, experts warn of a rapid spread of infections in some parts of Europe.
“Many of these insect species prefer a warm, humid climate. Their larvae develop faster in warmer temperatures and a longer breeding season allows for larger populations to develop,” Dr Francois Balloux, from the Institute of Genetics at University College London, told The Sun.
Infections to be aware of
The ECDC says it is monitoring the spread of different species of microbes that can carry and transmit several different viruses to humans. These include:
Dengue
Dengue fever, also known as breakbone fever, is a viral disease transmitted by certain types of mosquitoes in tropical and subtropical areas. It is caused by one of four dengue viruses and symptoms usually begin within a few days of the bite, but may take up to two weeks to appear.
Statistics say that nearly 400 million people are infected with dengue fever each year, but the majority (about 80 percent) do not show symptoms.
Doctors say the dengue virus destroys parts of the blood that form clots and give structure to blood vessels. This, along with certain chemicals created by the immune system, can cause blood to leak out of vessels and cause internal bleeding, leading to the potentially life-threatening symptoms of severe dengue, which include high fever, rash, body aches and even vomiting and nausea.
Chikungunya
Chikungunya is a viral disease that is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. The name comes from the Kimakondé Words that mean walking hunched over because the infection causes severe pain in the joints and muscles. Other symptoms include fever, headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, and rash.
The infection is widespread in popular tourist destinations such as Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Croatia, Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, North Macedonia, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey and Portugal.
According to doctors, the best way to prevent chikungunya is to avoid mosquito bites in areas where the virus may be present. You can try using an insect repellent containing DEET or picaridin and eliminating mosquito breeding sites. Vaccination is also recommended for some travelers.
Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever
Cases of congenital haemorrhagic fever (CHF), a tick-borne virus that causes severe bleeding and high fever, have seen an unprecedented rise in Spain, Bulgaria and Greece. Although not very common, the infection, which causes flu-like symptoms leading to severe eye bleeding and organ failure, has been appearing in Europe.
According to the World Health Organization, the infection kills up to 40 percent of those infected.
Last month, British scientists warned that the disease could be spreading beyond its usual range and moving towards the UK and France.
Leishmaniasis
Leishmaniasis, a common infection in tropical rainforests and deserts, is spreading in many European countries and is transmitted by sandflies.
It causes skin sores that can develop into painful ulcers in the nose, mouth and throat, leading to wounds that can permanently disfigure the patient. The most severe form of the disease affects internal organs such as the liver and spleen, causing fever, weight loss and anaemia.
If not treated in time it can cause death.
Lyme disease
Lyme disease, transmitted by European deer ticks, has become established in most European countries this summer, including the UK and France. According to experts, a bite from tiny ticks, which are often found in grassy areas, can lead to Lyme disease, which is a bacterial infection transmitted to humans by infected ticks.
Symptoms of Lyme disease include a circular or oval rash around the bite site, as well as fatigue and flu-like symptoms. While it can be treated with the help of antibiotics, if left untreated, the infection can spread to the heart, joints and nervous system.
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