Chikungunya viruses - EU approves vaccine against dangerous tropical virus
The EU Commission is allowing the first vaccine against Chikungunya virus transmitted by mosquitoes to be released. National authorities must now decide who will have access to the vaccine, the Brussels authority announced. According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), there were 16 reported cases of Chikungunya fever in Germany in 2022.
According to ECDC, these cases were not of the so-called autochthonous transmissions. That is, the infection did not occur through a mosquito living in Germany but, for example, during a vacation outside the EU.
Asian Tiger Mosquitoes in Germany
In the context of climate change, populations of the Asian Tiger Mosquito have established themselves in Germany, according to experts. The insects can transmit the virus. This mosquito species usually lives in the tropics. A recent ECDC report confirms the presence of the Aedes albopictus mosquito in 13 EU countries, including Germany and popular vacation destinations such as Austria, France, Italy, and Spain.
According to the Foreign Office, the disease is associated with fever and joint pain. Severe courses are rare. The disease is widespread in tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Those affected typically experience severe joint pain in their hands and feet, accompanied by high fever and skin rash, about a week after being bitten. Nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite may also occur. Deaths are rare, and recovery often takes several months, and in rare cases, several years.
- The EU Commission's decision to release the Chikungunya virus vaccine is significant for European nations, including Germany, where the Asian Tiger Mosquito, capable of transmitting the virus, has established populations due to climate change.
- The EU Commission's announcement regarding the Chikungunya virus vaccine comes at a time when the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) reported 16 cases of the fever in Germany in 2022, although these were not of the autochthonous variety.
- Brussels, as an EU authority, has urged national authorities to decide on vaccine distribution, as the ECDC warned that the Chikungunya virus, transmitted by mosquitoes, continues to pose a threat in Europe, especially with the presence of the Asian Tiger Mosquito in 13 EU countries.
- The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has highlighted the presence of the Aedes albopictus mosquito, known as the Asian Tiger Mosquito, in Germany, Austria, France, Italy, and Spain, raising concerns about the potential spread of diseases like the Chikungunya virus in these regions.
- Climate change is contributing to the increased presence of the Asian Tiger Mosquito in Germany, which has the potential to transmit diseases like the Chikungunya virus to humans, adding another health challenge to Europe's ongoing fight against various infectious diseases.
- As the EU Commission advances with the Chikungunya virus vaccine, European countries must remain proactive in understanding the disease's transmission vectors, such as the Asian Tiger Mosquito, and implement prevention strategies to protect their populations from future outbreaks.
