Painful tropical virus could become established in UK as temperatures rise

France and Italy had record numbers of chikungunya outbreaks last year NewsUKHome NewsPainful tropical virus could become established in UK as temperatures riseFrance and Italy had record numbers of chikungunya outbreaks last yearHarriette Boucher Wednesday 18 February 2026 18:37 GMTBookmarkCommentsGo to commentsBookmark popoverRemoved from bookmarksClose popoverExpert reveals reason why mosquitos like some people a lot more than othersYour support helps us to tell the storyRead moreSupport NowFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.Read moreA debilitating and painful tropical disease caused by infected mosquito bites is posing a greater threat to Europe, and could become established in the UK in the coming years.In a new study, researchers have discovered that Asian tiger mosquitoes can spread the chikungunya virus when air temperatures are as low as 13C – cooler than previously believed.A current outbreak of the virus has caused the US to issue a warning for people heading to Seychelles, Bolivia and Suriname, urging them to get vaccinated before they travel. It comes as new data shows the virus can now be transmitted across most of Europe. Sandeep Tegar, who led the study, said: “Europe is warming rapidly, and the tiger mosquito is gradually expanding northwards through the continent.” The species, which is occasionally detected in south-east England, could become more prevalent across Britain as climate change causes temperatures to increase.“The lower temperature threshold that we have identified will therefore result in more areas – and more months of the year – becoming potentially suitable for transmission,” Mr Tegar said.open image in galleryChikungunya is a virus spread by mosquito bites (Alamy/PA)In 2025, France and Italy saw record numbers of local outbreaks of chikungunya. The mosquito species has also caused a rise in the country's dengue fever cases in recent years.The researchers, from the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, said the mosquitoes have started local outbreaks in Europe after biting people who have contracted the virus overseas.New data shows that the possibility of infection is present for two to three months of the year across much of Europe, and up to six months in Spain and Portugal. “Identifying specific locations and the months of possible transmission will enable local authorities to decide when and where to take action to reduce the risk or scale of outbreaks,” Mr Tegar said. “Our research could also help predict how climate change could influence the future spread of the chikungunya virus.”Chikungunya is not typically a fatal disease, but it can cause excruciating long-term pain. The UK Health Security Agency describes the virus as “a sudden onset of fever usually accompanied by joint pain”. Joint pains may last for months or longer, but other symptoms such as headaches, sensitivity to light and skin rashes usually subside within a few weeks.open image in galleryTwo chikungunya vaccines are available in the UK (AFP/Getty)In August, British travellers were urged to take precautions against mosquito bites during a rise in people returning to the UK with the virus. Warmer weather creates better conditions for the mosquito to thrive and increases the rate at which the virus replicates and is transmitted. There is currently a low risk of the virus in south-east England over the summer months. However, researchers warned that rising temperatures will increase the odds of the tiger mosquito establishing in the UK, as has happened elsewhere in Europe.Scientists found eggs of the mosquito in a trap at a freight depot near Heathrow airport in October. The country saw its hottest summer on record last year and experts have warned of 2C of global warming by 2050.The study’s senior author, Dr Steven White, said: “It is important that there is continued action to try to prevent the tiger mosquito from establishing in this country because this highly invasive species is capable of transmitting several infections that can cause serious health conditions including chikungunya, dengue and Zika viruses.” The first known outbreak of the virus was in Tanzania in 1952. It now affects more than 110 countries across Asia, Africa,