Dengue in Europe: The Rise of the Tiger Mosquito and How to Protect Yourself
TL;DR — key takeaways
- Dengue is a viral infection spread by Aedes mosquitoes, above all the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus), which is now established across much of southern and central Europe.
- Europe is recording a growing number of locally acquired (autochthonous) dengue cases — infections caught on the continent, not brought back from the tropics — with a record year in 2024, according to the ECDC.
- The tiger mosquito is a small, black-and-white, daytime biter that breeds in tiny pockets of standing water around gardens, balconies and terraces.
- The most effective personal protection is a proven skin repellent, covering clothing, and removing standing water where mosquitoes breed.
- PMD (para-menthane-3,8-diol) is a plant-derived active recommended by health authorities alongside DEET — it is the DEET-free active used in incognito® repellents.
For most of the last century, dengue was a disease European travellers only worried about in the tropics. That is changing. The Asian tiger mosquito has spread rapidly across the continent, and with it comes the risk of dengue in Europe being transmitted locally. This guide explains what is driving the trend and, more importantly, the practical steps you can take to protect yourself and your family.
What is dengue, and why is it appearing in Europe?
Dengue is a viral infection transmitted through the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito. Most people who catch it have mild or no symptoms, but it can cause high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint aches (dengue is sometimes called ‘breakbone fever’), nausea and a rash. A minority of cases progress to severe dengue, which is a medical emergency.
Historically, cases in Europe were ‘imported’ — travellers infected abroad who developed symptoms after returning home. What is new is the rise in autochthonous transmission: people infected within Europe, having never left. This happens when a local tiger mosquito bites an infected traveller and then passes the virus on to others. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) reported that 2024 was a record year for locally acquired dengue cases in the EU, and the long-term trend is upward, driven by warmer temperatures, urbanisation and international travel.
Meet the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus)
The species behind most of Europe’s local transmission risk is Aedes albopictus, commonly known as the Asian tiger mosquito. It is small, dark, and marked with distinctive white stripes on its legs and body. Understanding its habits is the key to avoiding it.
Where it has spread
Once confined to Asia, the tiger mosquito has become established in more than a dozen European countries over recent decades, including large parts of Italy, France, Spain, Greece, Croatia, Portugal and, increasingly, areas further north such as southern Germany and Austria. The ECDC tracks its expanding range because where the mosquito settles, the potential for local dengue, chikungunya and Zika transmission follows.
Why it behaves differently from mosquitoes you know
The common house and marsh mosquitoes most Europeans are used to (Culex species) bite mainly at dusk and after dark. The tiger mosquito is different in ways that catch people off guard:
- It bites during the day, with peak activity in the morning and late afternoon — so evening-only precautions are not enough.
- It is an aggressive, persistent biter and often targets ankles and legs.
- It breeds in tiny amounts of water — a bottle cap, a plant saucer or a blocked gutter is enough. It rarely travels far from where it hatched, which means the mosquito biting you is usually breeding nearby.
Where in Europe is dengue a risk?
Risk is highest in warm, humid regions where the tiger mosquito is well established, particularly in late summer and early autumn when populations peak. The table below is a general guide — always check current ECDC advice before you travel.
| Area | Tiger mosquito status | Local dengue risk |
|---|---|---|
| Southern Europe (Italy, S. France, Spain, Greece, Croatia, Portugal) | Well established | Present, mainly summer–autumn |
| Central Europe (S. Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Hungary) | Spreading and establishing | Emerging, localised |
| Northern Europe / British Isles | Not established (occasional detections) | Very low at present |
How to protect yourself from tiger mosquito bites
Personal protection is the same whether you are travelling to an affected region or live in one. Because there is no specific antiviral treatment for dengue and no widely used vaccine for travellers, avoiding bites is the primary defence. Health authorities including the ECDC, WHO and the US EPA broadly recommend:
- Apply an effective repellent to exposed skin and reapply as directed — remembering that the tiger mosquito bites in daylight, so use it during the day, not just in the evening.
- Cover up with loose, long-sleeved tops and long trousers, especially around the ankles.
- Choose light-coloured clothing, which is generally less attractive to mosquitoes than dark fabric.
- Sleep and rest protected — use screens on windows and doors, or air conditioning, and a bed net if screening is not available.
- Be extra vigilant in the morning and late afternoon, the tiger mosquito’s peak biting hours.
Reduce mosquitoes around your home
Because the tiger mosquito breeds close to where it bites, removing standing water around your property is one of the most powerful things you can do. Weekly, tip out and scrub any container that holds water:
- Plant saucers, pot bases and watering cans
- Buckets, wheelbarrows, toys and tarpaulin folds
- Blocked gutters and drains
- Bird baths and pet water bowls (refresh them regularly)
- Uncovered water butts — fit a tight lid or fine mesh
Encourage neighbours to do the same. Because the mosquito does not fly far, a single overlooked container can sustain a whole local population.
How incognito® helps
Reliable protection starts with a repellent you will actually reapply through the day. Our DEET-free insect repellent spray is clinically proven and recommended against both mosquitoes and ticks. Instead of DEET, it uses PMD (para-menthane-3,8-diol) — a plant-derived active, marketed as Citrepel®, from the same class of ingredient that authorities such as the EPA list alongside DEET as effective. It is vegan, biodegradable and made in the UK, so you can cover up against the tiger mosquito without the harsh feel of DEET on your skin. For all-day trips in affected regions, keep it with you and top up during the morning and late-afternoon biting peaks.
FAQs
Can you actually catch dengue in Europe now?
Yes. Alongside cases imported by travellers, Europe is seeing a growing number of locally acquired (autochthonous) dengue infections, mainly in southern regions during summer and autumn. The ECDC reported 2024 as a record year for local cases in the EU.
What does the tiger mosquito look like?
It is a small, dark mosquito with clear white stripes on its legs and a single white line down the middle of its back. It is noticeably smaller than many common mosquitoes.
What time of day does the tiger mosquito bite?
Unlike common mosquitoes that bite at dusk and night, Aedes albopictus is a daytime biter, most active in the morning and late afternoon — so daytime repellent use matters.
Is DEET-free repellent effective against the tiger mosquito?
Yes. PMD-based repellents are recommended by health authorities alongside DEET. incognito® uses PMD and is clinically proven against mosquitoes and ticks — a DEET-free option that still offers proven protection.
How do I stop tiger mosquitoes breeding in my garden?
Remove standing water weekly. Empty plant saucers, buckets and pet bowls, unblock gutters, and cover water butts. The mosquito breeds in tiny water pockets close to where it bites, so even small containers matter.
Should I still worry about dengue when travelling within Europe?
The risk is low but no longer zero in affected regions during peak season. Sensible bite prevention — repellent, covering up and avoiding standing water — is the practical response. Check current ECDC advice for your destination before you go.
Sources
- ECDC — Dengue
- ECDC — Aedes albopictus (tiger mosquito) factsheet
- ECDC — Protective measures against mosquitoes
- WHO — Dengue and severe dengue fact sheet
- EPA — Skin-applied repellent ingredients (including OLE/PMD)
This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. If you develop a high fever or feel unwell after mosquito bites or travel, seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional. Always use insect repellents as directed on the product label.