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Emergence and spread of Hyalomma ticks and Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever in Europe: a systematic review

Mohammed Masud Parvage et al.
Parasites Vectors 18, 436 (2025)

Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a severe, often fatal zoonotic disease caused by the CCHF virus (CCHFV). It is primarily transmitted by Hyalomma ticks, which serve as both reservoir and vector. While these ticks are endemic to Asia, Africa, and parts of Europe, recent detections in previously unaffected European regions raise concerns about the potential spread of the disease. This study aims to systematically review the first detections of Hyalomma ticks, CCHFV, and CCHF disease in Europe. The goal is to support surveillance strategies and enhance preparedness for future outbreaks.

https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-025-07104-3

Importation of the exotic tick Amblyomma geoemydae into Sweden via illegally introduced turtles (Geoemyda spengleri) from Thailand

Giulio Grandi et al.
Veterinary Parasitology: Regional Studies and Reports 63 (2025)

Illegal importation of animals as pets might be followed by the introduction of exotic tick species, potential vectors of pathogens that can have an impact on wildlife and/or domestic animals and on humans. Therefore, permanent measures of surveillance and control on imported reptiles are emphasized. In February 2024, black-breasted leaf turtles (Geoemyda spengleri) (n = 31) were illegally imported into Sweden from Thailand. The turtles were sent by the Swedish Customs Criminal Department West in Gothenburg to a public aquarium and terrarium (Tropicarium, Kolmården, Östergötland county) to be kept in quarantine. At the Tropicarium the turtles were found to be infested by ticks.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vprsr.2025.101304

Automated tick classification using deep learning and its associated challenges in citizen science

Anna Omazic et al.
Sci Rep 15, 24942 (2025)

Lyme borreliosis and tick-borne encephalitis significantly impact public health in Europe, transmitted primarily by endemic tick species. The recent introduction of exotic tick species into northern Europe via migratory birds, imported animals, and travelers highlights the urgent need for rapid detection and accurate species identification. To address this, the Swedish Veterinary Agency launched a citizen science initiative, resulting in the submission of over 15,000 tick images spanning seven species.

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-10265-x

Why the growth of arboviral diseases necessitates a new generation of global risk maps and future projections

Oliver J. Brady et al.
PLoS Comput Biol 21(4): e1012771

Global risk maps are an important tool for assessing the global threat of mosquito and tick-transmitted arboviral diseases. Public health officials increasingly rely on risk maps to understand the drivers of transmission, forecast spread, identify gaps in surveillance, estimate disease burden, and target and evaluate the impact of interventions.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1012771

Discover our climate change and health indicators for kids and teens

In 2023, record-breaking global temperatures highlighted the urgent need for climate action to prevent worsening climate-related health impacts. Europe, warming at twice the global average rate, faces significant health threats and unnecessary loss of life. The Lancet Countdown in Europe, established in 2021, aims to drive rapid health-responsive climate actions. Its 2022 report tracked progress using 33 indicators across five domains.

Identifying the climate sensitivity of infectious diseases: a conceptual framework

Alcayna, Tilly et al.
The Lancet Planetary Health, Volume 0, Issue 0, 101291

Infectious diseases pose a substantial threat to public health, affecting billions and straining health-care systems worldwide. There is growing concern over how anthropogenic climate change might aggravate the global burden of climate-sensitive infectious diseases. In this Personal View, we propose a framework for understanding what makes an infectious disease climate-sensitive.

DOI: 10.1016/j.lanplh.2025.101291

Integrating anticipatory action in disease outbreak preparedness and response in the humanitarian sector

Tilly Alcayna et al.
BMJ Global Health 2025;10:e017721

In the humanitarian sector, anticipatory action entails acting ahead of predicted hazardous events to prevent or mitigate potential impacts and needs. It leverages early warnings to bridge preparedness and response, with a core principle being the provision of ex-ante emergency funding for preagreed early actions. Traditionally applied to extreme climatic events, there is growing interest in integrating anticipatory action into disease outbreak preparedness and response. We present an analytical framework for trigger development for climate-sensitive infectious disease outbreaks based on a review of existing and emerging practices from the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement, United Nations agencies and Médecins Sans Frontières since 2014. We propose that, depending on data availability, there are four broad approaches for trigger development.

DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2024-017721

Effects of mosquito-proofing storm drains on adult and larval mosquito abundance: Protocol of the IDAlErt storm drAin randomiSed controlled trial (IDEAS)

Marina Treskova et al.
MethodsX, Volume 14, 2025, 103102

Aedes and Culex mosquitoes, vectors of diseases like dengue and West Nile, breed in urban storm drains with stagnant water, a problem that may worsen in Europe due to climate change. To address this, the Agència de Salut Pública de Barcelona (ASPB) tested structural drain modifications in a randomised controlled trial, assigning 44 drains to either mosquito-proofing or no change and monitoring them weekly from June to November 2023. Outcomes focused on adult mosquito counts and presence of adults and larvae, with results to be analysed using statistical models to assess effectiveness and guide possible city-wide adoption.

DOI: 10.1016/j.mex.2024.103102

Strengthening resilience to emerging vector-borne diseases in Europe: lessons learnt from countries facing endemic transmission

Charnley, Gina E.C. et al.
The Lancet Regional Health – Europe, Volume 53, 101271

Emerging vector-borne diseases (VBDs) are a major public health concern worldwide. Climate change, environmental degradation and globalisation have led to an expansion in the range of many vectors and an erosion of transmission barriers, increasing human exposure to new pathogens and the risk for emerging VBD outbreaks. Europe is potentially underprepared for the increasing threat of VBDs, due to attention and funding being diverted to other public health priorities. Proactive, rather than reactive, prevention and control approaches can greatly reduce the socio-economic toll of VBDs. Endemic countries globally have decades of experience in controlling VBDs, and Europe has much to learn from this knowledge. Here, we advocate for the expansion of transdisciplinary knowledge-sharing partnerships, to co-create proactive measures against VBDs. We present the experiences and expertise of our diverse international team and explore how an array of interventions can be applied and adapted to the European context.

DOI: 10.1016/j.lanepe.2025.101271

Impact of climate and Aedes albopictus establishment on dengue and chikungunya outbreaks in Europe: a time-to-event analysis

Farooq, Zia et al. – The Lancet Planetary Health, Volume 9, Issue 5, e374 – e383

The rapid spread of the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) poses a notable public health threat in Europe due to its ability to transmit tropical diseases such as dengue and chikungunya. This study aims to quantify the underlying drivers facilitating and accelerating Europe’s transition from sporadic arbovirus outbreaks to Aedes-borne disease endemicity, focusing on dengue and chikungunya outbreaks.

DOI: 10.1016/S2542-5196(25)00059-2

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