Europe's summer is turning into a season of vigilance for public health officials, as mosquito-borne diseases spread into new territories and the continent's defences remain inconsistent. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has issued a fresh warning: without stronger surveillance and more adaptable control tools, the region risks falling behind in the fight against these insects.
According to the ECDC, West Nile virus transmission is expanding, and invasive mosquito species are establishing themselves in areas where they were previously unknown. “The expansion of West Nile virus transmission as well as the spread of invasive mosquito species demonstrate why Europe needs to strengthen its mosquito-control capacity,” said Céline Gossner, an ECDC expert on food, water, vector-borne and zoonotic diseases.
The warning arrives as the transmission season enters its most active phase. As of August 13, 429 locally acquired West Nile virus infections had been recorded across nine European countries, with six regions reporting their first-ever cases this year. Since transmission typically peaks in August and early September, the numbers are expected to climb.
At the same time, the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) has become established in 16 European countries—double the number from twelve years ago. This species can transmit dengue and chikungunya, diseases once largely confined to tropical and subtropical regions.
A patchwork of approaches
The shifting threat has exposed a less visible problem: Europe lacks a coherent system for controlling the mosquitoes that carry these diseases. A new ECDC survey of mosquito surveillance and control practices found substantial differences among countries in how programmes are organised, funded, and implemented. Of the 38 countries and jurisdictions contacted, 26 returned questionnaires.
The report highlights that many programmes rely on short-term funding and lack long-term planning. Responsibility often sits at different levels of government—national, regional, or local—making cross-border coordination difficult. That matters because mosquitoes do not respect borders.
“For effective mosquito control, we need close cooperation in Europe and an integrated approach that brings together mosquito monitoring, community engagement, and targeted mosquito control solutions that take environmental impact into account,” Gossner said.
Reactive measures are often ad hoc and focus on adult insects, while longer-term strategies to eliminate invasive populations are frequently missing. For Aedes mosquitoes, countries use a mix of chemical and non-chemical methods, including efforts to target immature mosquitoes and community campaigns.
Climate change is adding urgency. The ECDC's report notes longer and more intense transmission seasons for West Nile virus, dengue, and chikungunya. Warmer conditions create more favourable environments for mosquitoes and extend the periods during which viruses can circulate.
Some countries are already stepping up their efforts. Greece has intensified its mosquito control as West Nile cases climb, a sign that localised responses can work but also that they need to be part of a broader European strategy. The ECDC is calling for sustained investment and cross-border cooperation to ensure the continent is not caught off guard.
