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Red alert: Tropical diseases are spreading across borders!
Increasing tropical diseases caused by the Asian tiger mosquito in Germany: Chikungunya and dengue cases are increasing.
Red alert: Tropical diseases are spreading across borders!
Things will get tricky in Europe in the summer of 2025: The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) is reporting increasing numbers of autochthonous infections with tropical diseases such as chikungunya and dengue fever. A recent case of a Chikungunya infected person registered in France, not far from the German border, is particularly alarming. As the Tagesschau reports, the virus occurs particularly through the Asian tiger mosquito, which is increasingly settling in Germany.
Several cases have been documented in France in recent weeks, particularly in the region south of Strasbourg, where the disease occurred locally in the municipalities of Lipsheim and Fegersheim. Epidemiologist Hendrik Wilking is concerned about the increasing infections: “Climate change plays a crucial role here,” he says. Global warming is enabling heat-loving mosquito species to have a flourishing habitat, as Spiegel notes.
Current numbers and vaccination recommendations
The numbers speak for themselves: In Germany alone there were already 84 cases of chikungunya by June 30, 2025, compared to only 23 the previous year. Things aren't looking any better for other tropical diseases either. The list of reported cases includes:
| Illness | Number of cases 2025 | Number of cases 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Chikungunya fever | 84 | 23 |
| Dengue fever | 545 | 1,173 |
| Zika virus | 6 | 25 |
| malaria | 421 | 396 |
| West Nile fever | 1 | 2 |
There are now two approved vaccines against chikungunya in Germany for travelers: Ixchiq and Vimkunya, both of which are recommended for people aged 12 and over. However, “Ixchiq” in particular should be administered with caution, as serious side effects can occur in older people. The vaccination recommendations are clear: Before traveling, you should find out about tropical diseases and obtain the appropriate vaccinations.
Prevention measures and outlook
So what can you do about the dreaded mosquitoes? Experts recommend eliminating mosquito breeding grounds in your own garden. It could prove to be a key measure to effectively curb the spread of the tiger mosquito. However, the situation could also change quickly, especially since epidemiological experts point to possible outbreaks in Germany, which are favored by the local settlement of the tiger mosquito [rnd.de].
In summary, the situation seems more serious than ever. With rising temperatures and expanding mosquito populations, now may be the right time to become fully informed about tropical diseases and take appropriate action.