Climate change could expand chikungunya into temperate regions worldwide
Researchers say warming could make chikungunya suitable in 139 countries or regions, with future hotspots in Europe, North America and East Asia.
- A new study in Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology projects climate change will push chikungunya into temperate regions—including northeastern North America, central Europe, and East Asia—by 2100.
- Climate change fundamentally alters mosquito habitats; the Asian tiger mosquito explains "more than 70% of the predicted distribution of the virus," according to Dr. Yang Wu from the Guangzhou Customs Technology Center.
- Currently, 139 countries are designated risk zones, covering 21.3% of global land mass. The Pan American Health Organization reported 502,264 cases in 2025, while the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control estimates 33,000 symptomatic cases worldwide so far in 2026.
- "The public does not need to panic, but health systems should prepare early," warned Dr. Xu. Researchers urge the United Kingdom, Germany, the United States, China, and Japan to prioritize vector surveillance and clinical training before 2040.
- Researchers modeled future ranges using 16 climate scenarios developed by the IPCC, including "green shift" and "fossil-fueled development." Limiting global warming and investing in preparedness could reduce outbreak risks from this expansion.
14 Articles
14 Articles
The chikungunya virus is becoming one of the most emerging threats monitored by international scientists and health agencies. The global rise in temperatures is rapidly expanding the areas where mosquitoes capable of transmitting this disease survive, especially the Asian tiger mosquito, a species already present in many European regions. Researchers warn that the chikungunya virus could spread over the next decades into temperate areas of Europ…
The combination of the new mutation of the virus with the increase in temperatures can allow the "tiger mosquito", responsible for 70% of the transmissions, to be established in Europe.
Chikungunya is the New Climate Virus to Watch
This is going to tick you off. Pronounced “chicken – gun-ya”. Never heard of it till my daughter went to India last year and had to get the shot.I looked it up. It ain’t Ebola, but not a day at the beach either. Euro News: As climate change drives mosquitoes north, Europe and North America … Continue reading "Chikungunya is the New Climate Virus to Watch"
The rise in temperatures could favor the arrival of this tropical disease in new regions of the world, according to a scientific study Read more
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
