Climate change impacts and vulnerability in Europe 2016

Climate change impacts on society
establishment was in Italy in 1990, and Aedes albopictus
is now present in several EU Member States and in
some countries neighbouring the EU (Map 5.3). It has
substantially extended its range in recent years, aided
by trade and travel. It is generally suspected that climate
change has also played a role in this expansion, but the
extent to which this is the case is unclear (Caminade
et al., 2012). The introduction and geographical
expansion of the distribution of Aedes albopictus within
Europe has coincided with favourable climatic suitability
for the mosquito in the Balkans, Italy, France and
Benelux and in western Germany, on the eastern coast
of Spain and on the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea
(Caminade et al., 2012). Other parts of Europe are also
climatically suitable for Aedes albopictus, even if they
have not recorded the presence of the vector (Map 5.4)
(Rogers et al., 2014; Proestos et al., 2015).
Mosquito-borne diseases have not been a substantial
concern within Europe until recently. However,
locally transmitted (i.e. autochthonous) outbreaks of
chikungunya, dengue and even malaria have occurred
in recent years (ECDC, 2014). Several disease outbreaks
transmitted by Aedes. albopictus have been reported
in Europe: chikungunya in Italy and in France in 2010,
2014 and 2015, as well as local transmissions of
dengue in France and Croatia in 2010 (Rezza et al.,
2007; La Ruche et al., 2010; Gjenero-Margan et al.,
2011; Grandadam et al., 2011; Delisle et al., 2015).
Heavy rainfall events may have increased the risk of the
autochthonous transmission of chikungunya in France
in 2014 by leading to a rapid rise in vector abundance
(Roiz et al., 2011; ECDC, 2015). No autochthonous
transmission of dengue has been reported in Europe
since 2010.
Map 5.3
Current distribution of Aedes albopictus in Europe
-30°
-20°
-10°
0°
10°
20°
30°
40°
50°
60°
70°
Current distribution of the
tiger mosquito in Europe
(Aedes albopictus)
Presence
60°
Established
Introduced
No presence recorded
No data
50°
Outside coverage
50°
40°
40°
0 500 1000 1500 km
0°
10°
20°
30°
40°
30°
Note:
Source:
The map shows the current distribution of the invasive mosquito species Aedes albopictus in Europe at the 'regional' administrative
level (NUTS3). The map is based only on confirmed data (published and unpublished) provided by experts from the countries as part
of the VectorNet project ( 95 ). However, there is underreporting because the data are not reportable by law. Red shows that established
populations (evidence of reproduction and overwintering) of the species have been observed in at least one municipality within the
administrative unit. Yellow shows that the species has been introduced (but without confirmed establishment) in the administrative unit
within the last five years of the distribution status date. Green shows that field surveys or studies on mosquitoes were conducted with
no introduction (during the last five years) and no established population of the species having been reported. Dark grey shows that no
data for the last five years are available to local experts.
Copyright © 2015 European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Reproduced with permission.
( 95 ) http://ecdc.europa.eu/en/activities/diseaseprogrammes/emerging_and_vector_borne_diseases/Pages/VBORNET.aspx.
Climate change, impacts and vulnerability in Europe 2016 | An indicator-based report
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