Britons travelling abroad this summer could be at risk of deadly mosquito-borne diseases sweeping through European holiday hotspots each summer.

Mosquito season is now entering its peak months, with soaring temperatures creating ideal breeding conditions and increasing the risk of viruses such as West Nile, chikungunya and dengue fever spreading across the continent.

These have been known to trigger debilitating joint pain, paralysis, vision loss and even death.

The insects transmit the viruses by biting infected animals or people before passing the virus into humans’ bloodstream through a subsequent bite.

And the Daily Mail’s interactive map shows that more than 1,000 suspected cases of these diseases were recorded across major European holiday destinations as of last summer, including Spain, Portugal, France, Italy and Greece – a pattern experts fear could become a more frequent occurrence. 

Around 38 people also died, most of them from West Nile virus infections in Italy. 

Official data from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control shows West Nile virus is already returning this summer, with cases detected in the Italian provinces of Caserta, Florence and Verona. 

Romania and North Macedonia have also reported a shared three infections. 

The spread of West Nile virus is becoming an increasing concern across Europe. 

First identified in Uganda’s West Nile district in 1937, the virus circulates between birds and mosquitoes, but humans and horses can become infected after being bitten by a mosquito that has previously fed on an infected bird. 

Italy has recorded one case in each of Caserta in the south, Florence in the centre of the country, and Verona in the north so far this year.  

Last year, nine European countries reported a total of 652 West Nile virus infections. 

Italy accounted for the overwhelming majority, with 500 cases, followed by Greece with 69, Serbia with 33 and France with 20. Spain also had five.

Most infections occurred in men aged 65 and over, and more than nine in 10 patients required hospital treatment. 

According to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), most people infected with West Nile virus experience either no symptoms or only mild illness, including fever, headaches and a rash. 

But around 1 in 150 people will develop severe complications, including sometimes fatal meningitis and encephalitis, which cause inflammation of the brain and the tissues surrounding the brain and spinal cord.

There is no vaccine or specific treatment for West Nile virus, and those aged over 50 and those with underlying health conditions – including diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure and kidney disease – are at the greatest risk of developing severe illness. 

The risk of death is highest among people aged over 70. 

Chikungunya also surged across Europe last summer, with 301 suspected cases recorded in France and 107 in Italy. 

Globally, the virus is most common in tropical regions, particularly Brazil, where tens of thousands of infections have been reported already this year.

France, however, experienced an unprecedented outbreak in 2025, with almost 800 locally acquired cases by the end of the year after the virus was imported from an epidemic on Reunion Island. 

Chikungunya is notorious for causing intense joint pain that can leave sufferers stooped over, as well as fever, muscle aches, headaches, fatigue and a rash. 

Although most people recover within days or weeks, some continue to suffer debilitating joint pain or arthritis for months or even years.

Mosquito season is now entering its peak months, increasing the risk of viruses such as West Nile, chikungunya and dengue fever spreading in Europe

In rare cases, the virus can affect the eyes, brain, heart or digestive system. Serious illness is uncommon but older adults and people with underlying health conditions are at greater risk of severe complications, which can sometimes prove deadly. 

Dengue fever was the least common of the three diseases in Europe last summer, with 19 suspected cases recorded in France, four in Italy and two in Portugal. 

The disease is typically found in tropical regions of Africa, Asia, the Americas, the Caribbean and the Pacific, but has increasingly appeared in parts of Europe, including Croatia, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Madeira. 

Most people experience flu-like symptoms, including a high temperature, headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain, nausea, swollen glands and a rash.

But it can also develop into severe dengue, which can bring intense abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, rapid breathing, and blood in the vomit or stool.

The World Health Organisation estimates there are between 100 million and 400 million dengue infections worldwide every year.

Experts have previously warned that mosquito-borne diseases are becoming an increasing concern due to climate change.

Professor Rachel Lowe, from the global health resilience group at the Barcelona Supercomputing Center in Spain, has said: ‘Global warming due to climate change means that the disease vectors that carry and spread malaria and dengue [fever] can find a home in more regions, with outbreaks occurring in areas where people are likely to be immunologically naive and public health systems unprepared.

‘The stark reality is that longer hot seasons will enlarge the seasonal window for the spread of mosquito-borne diseases and favour increasingly frequent outbreaks that are increasingly complex to deal with.’

For people in the UK, the risk of catching any of these diseases at home remains very low. 

Health officials say the greatest risk of acquiring West Nile virus, however, comes from travelling to countries where the virus is already circulating. 

Although experts believe the threat is gradually increasing as the climate warms and Britain becomes hotter, measures are said to be in place to detect signs of transmission.

The same is true for chikungunya and dengue.

A small number of chikungunya cases are reported in the UK each year, but almost all involve travellers returning from countries in South and South East Asia where the virus is widespread. 

Dengue is not transmitted in Britain either, with reported cases linked to overseas travel, mainly to Asia, Latin America, Africa and the Caribbean.

The UKHSA says: ‘In many countries, mosquito bites can spread diseases like chikungunya, dengue, Japanese encephalitis, malaria, West Nile virus, yellow fever and Zika.

‘They can result in serious illness and some may even be fatal. Avoid insect bites at all times including during the day. It is important to cover up, use repellents, [and] use nets.’

By ASHLEY NICKEL, NEWS REPORTER, AUSTRALIA

Published: 15:44 BST, 9 July 2026 | Updated: 15:56 BST, 9 July 2026

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A new report found the number of young Australians suffering from poor mental health has jumped 13 per cent since 2007. 

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) released its latest health overview report on Thursday.

Data showed that while Australia’s health system operates at a high global standard and continues to improve, there’s a rising number of mental health patients.

Mental disorders among young people, aged between 16 and 24, rose from 26 per cent to 39 per cent between 2007 and 2022.

Between 2020 and 2022, about one in five people between 16 and 85 years old experienced a mental health condition.

Young people were the most likely to reach out to Medicare-subsidised mental health services, with women twice as likely to access them compared to men.

Chronic illnesses also recorded a sharp jump with 61 per cent of Australians living with at least one chronic condition in 2022.

The five which took ‘the most years of healthy life’ from Australians were cancer, mental health conditions and substance use disorders, musculoskeletal conditions, cardiovascular disease, and neurological conditions.

The number of young Australians suffering from a mental condition rose 13 per cent between 2007 and 2022

Dementia was the leading cause of death for Australians, causing almost one in every 10 deaths

Dementia was rated the leading cause of death in Australia, accounting for almost one in every 10 deaths.

Coronary heart disease was the leading cause of death for Australians living outside of major cities and inner-regional areas.

AIHW spokesperson Louise Gates said the report helps the government understand where action is needed in the health system.

‘Our health is shaped by many different factors, including our environment, lifestyle and access to the services we need,’ she said.

‘Good health helps Australians stay connected to their communities, continue learning and working, and live long fulfilling lives.’

The AIHW estimated $270.5billion was spent on health goods and services from 2023 to 2024, about $10,037 per person.

That figure – which sat at $8,615 per person from 2014 to 2015, when adjusted for inflation – includes spending by governments, insurance providers, individuals and non-government sources.

However, more government spending could be required to address major barriers Australians face to getting healthcare.

Bulk billed GP visits dropped from 85 per cent in 2015-16 to 78 per cent in 2024-25

The report found that of the 18.5 million Australians aged 15 and over who needed to see a general practitioner (GP) in 2024–25, one in four delayed their appointment.

‘Potential barriers to Australians seeing a GP include cost, service availability and waiting times,’ said Ms Gates.

The percentage of GP visits that were bulk billed dropped from 85 per cent in 2015-16 to 78 per cent in 2024-25.

‘While many health outcomes for Australians are improving, the growing impact of chronic conditions, poor mental health and an ageing population mean prevention and effective, equitable and coordinated care from health, disability, aged care and other welfare systems are more important than ever,’ Ms Gates said.

By LUKE ANDREWS, U.S. SENIOR HEALTH CORRESPONDENT

Published: 16:31 BST, 9 July 2026 | Updated: 16:34 BST, 9 July 2026

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The FDA has upgraded the recall of more than 2.5 million eye drops issued last month over fears they could be contaminated and cause harm to vision.

Florida-based Lupin Pharmaceutical issued a voluntary recall last month of its prescription-only prednisoLONE Acetate Ophthalmic Suspension one percent eye drops due to an unspecified ‘foreign substance’ being detected in the product. 

The alert was issued nationwide for drops sold in five, ten or 15 milliliter white plastic bottles with pink caps.

In the initial alert, the FDA did not classify the threat posed. 

But last week, it said this was a Class II recall, the second-highest alert level, indicating ‘a situation in which use of or exposure to a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote.’

There have been no reports of illness or deaths due to the drops to date, according to a release on the FDA’s website. 

No instructions have been issued for what to do if you have the eye drops, but in previous similar cases, patients have been advised to consult their health provider.

Health officials say that people should not stop using a prescription medication without first contacting their doctor.

The FDA has upgraded its alert level for recalled eye drops

Shown above is the recalled prednisoLONE Acetate Ophthalmic Suspension one percent

Prednisolone eye drops are used in the US to treat allergies, injuries or inflammation in the eye and ease symptoms including swelling, redness and itching.

Prednisolone, a steroid, is also available in inhalers for allergies, in tablets to help ease pain from autoimmune conditions, and in injections to help ease pain in the joints. 

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More than 3.8million prednisolone prescriptions were written in the US last year. 

A full list of lot codes of the eye drop bottles that have been recalled is available on the FDA’s website.

The eye drops were made in Pithampur, India and it is not clear how the contamination was detected or what the foreign substance in the eye drops was.

In previous cases, eye drops have been recalled because of contamination with glass, bacteria or fungi. These may enter the products during production.

This follows a major 2023 eye drop recall that was issued for drops made in India after they were found to be laced with a deadly bacteria.

Overall, 81 patients were sickened, while 18 suffered permanent blindness and four died. 

The drops were contaminated with the bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which is resistant to standard antibiotics. It can infect the eye, leading to vision loss and, in extreme cases, it can spread to the blood and trigger the potentially fatal complication sepsis. 

And earlier this year in April, more than 3 million eye drops were recalled after inspectors said there was a ‘lack of assurance over sterility’.

The products, made by K.C. Pharmaceuticals, based in California, were sold nationwide in 0.5 fl oz bottles and were on shelves at CVS, Walgreens, Kroger, H-E-B and other stores. The FDA said this was also a Class II recall.