Dengue fever: Dangerous mosquito-borne disease could arrive in England this century - thanks to climate change

In a new report about the health effects of climate change, the UK Health Security Agency warns dengue fever could be transmitted in London by 2060

By Amber Allott

Published 11th Dec 2023,

Warmer temperatures mean that Asian tiger mosquitos carrying dengue fever and other tropical diseases could become established in England inn the next few decades, government health experts have warned.

Dengue fever - a virus found in many more tropical parts of the world - is spread by bites from an infected mosquito, and is not usually serious. But doctors warn that between one and 5% of patients may develop potentially fatal severe dengue, or dengue haemorrhagic fever.

The virus is spread by the Aedes family of mosquitoes. But climate change means that one species, the Asian Tiger mosquito, has now become widespread in southern Europe. It has also been detected by authorities at UK ports several times in recent years, but so far no local populations have become established. It is known for its striped body and its potential to spread dengue fever, zika virus and chikungunya – and the species tends to live in urban areas as opposed to wetlands and feed during the day, putting people at greater risk of being bitten.

In a new report about the health effects of climate change, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) warned dengue fever could be transmitted in London by 2060 while the mosquito itself could become widely established across England in the 2040s. Officials also said other infectious diseases spread through food or water could become more prevalent, with the risk of future pandemics increasing.