Should we expect Chikungunya and Dengue in Southern Europe?
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Chikungunya and dengue arboviral diseases are in expansion throughout the world. Aedes aegypti, the principal vector of dengue and Yellow Fever has disappeared in Europe. In contrast, populations of Ae. albopictus established in Europe recently and are spreading to most southern regions. In the laboratory, this species has proven competent for transmitting various viruses. At the same time, an increase of virus importation is observed due to increased international travel. A limited Chikungunya outbreak which occurred in August - September 2007 in Italy confirmed that Europe is definitely at risk for Aedes-borne diseases. The risk of local transmission of Chikungunya and/or dengue in southern Europe depends on many historical, social, economic, environmental, climatic and entomological factors that we are presenting and discussing.