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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Science
Damian Carrington Environment editor

Excruciating tropical disease can now be transmitted in most of Europe, study finds

A worker sprays insecticide
Hundreds of cases of chikungunya hit France and Italy in 2025. Photograph: Tyrone Siu/Reuters

An excruciatingly painful tropical disease called chikungunya can now be transmitted by mosquitoes across most of Europe, a study has found.

Higher temperatures due to the climate crisis mean infections are now possible for more than six months of the year in Spain, Greece and other southern European countries, and for two months a year in south-east England. Continuing global heating means it is only a matter of time before the disease expands further northwards, the scientists said.

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