Mediterranean at high risk as heatwaves boost disease spread across Europe, ECDC says

World climate crisiseuhealthTop News Mediterranean at high risk as heatwaves boost disease spread across Europe, ECDC says Heatwave Germany 1024x575 Relevant News Mediterranean at high risk as heatwaves boost disease spread across Europe, ECDC says 30 July 2026 Trafficking victim numbers remain worryingly high, says Commissioner 30 July 2026 Man reports shots fired at his car in Nicosia mystery case 30 July 2026 Theodosis Pipis 30 July 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber Summers in Europe are not only getting hotter, but they are getting longer, creating the perfect conditions for infectious diseases to spread across Europe, with the Mediterranean highlighted as a high-risk area, according to the European Union’s Disease Prevention Agency (ECDC). In a press release yesterday, the ECDC, warned that prolonged periods of high temperatures are cultivating a breeding ground for foodborne diseases, mosquito-borne diseases and tick-borne diseases. “While the current heatwaves are making headlines, it is the continuously higher temperatures of an ever longer duration that create the conditions for many infections to spread,” according to the ECDC spokesperson. As the range of public health threats widen, there is an increasing need for longer-term strategic collaboration across the human, environmental, and animal sector. The ECDC calls EU member states to increase closer cooperation across borders and sectors to effectively predict, prevent and respond to threats. There are four particular areas that the ECDC monitors and highlights. Foodborne diseases: Warmer temperatures accelerate the risk of bacteria growth in food. Ensuring good hygiene and washing fruit and vegetables before eating them as well as cooking food thoroughly, particularly meat, can help prevent infection. Vibriosis: Warm, low-salinity coastal waters provide optimal conditions for Vibrio bacteria. ECDC recently predicted that the Mediterranean Sea is also at high risk. Avoiding swimming with open cuts, scratches or recent piercings, and making sure that seafood from these areas is well cooked helps reduce the likelihood of infection. Mosquito-borne diseases: Longer warm and humid seasons are allowing invasive mosquitoes to thrive in regions where they were previously rare or not present at all. Mosquito-borne diseases, such as dengue, chikungunya and West Nile virus, are becoming an increasing public health concern in Europe. Tick-borne diseases: Ticks are found across Europe, and the season during which they are active is becoming longer as spring and autumn become milder in many places. Infected ticks can transmit Lyme disease and tick-borne encephalitis (TBE), which can lead to serious long-term complications. As climate change increases the range of public health threats, there is a growing need for longer-term strategic collaboration and cooperation across the human, environmental, and animal sectors, the ECDC noted. A shared commitment to work across disciplines is brought together by the EU’s One Health approach, which underlines the need for cooperation to ensure the health of people, animals, plants, and the environment, it added. With warmer conditions expected to persist, the ECDC says strengthening surveillance, prevention and preparedness will be essential to protecting communities from emerging health risks. Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News Trafficking victim numbers remain worryingly high, says Commissioner Man reports shots fired at his car in Nicosia mystery case At least eight killed as Russia hits Ukraine, object crashes in Poland Satellite trackers to follow two Cyprus sea turtles across the Mediterranean Iran to get Chinese shoulder-launched missile systems in weeks, sources say With fields destroyed and hives lost, Gaza’s beekeepers struggle to start over Man, 27, found dead on Protaras beach Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.