Half of the world’s population is at risk of mosquito-borne diseases

Barcelona: Scientists have warned that by the end of this century, more than half of the world’s population will be at risk of mosquito-borne diseases (such as malaria and dengue).

According to experts, mosquito-borne epidemics (due to global warming) are expected to spread in northern Europe and other regions of the world in the next few decades.

In the United Kingdom, figures released by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) showed that there were more cases of malaria last year than in more than 20 years.

The figures showed that in 2023 there were 2,004 confirmed malaria cases in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, compared to 1,369 in 2022.

According to the UKHSA, the increase in numbers is related to the resurgence of malaria in many countries and the lifting of global pandemic restrictions on international travel, while according to WHO data, the number of cases globally has increased in recent years. There was an eight-fold increase in two decades.

The number which was five lakh in the year 2000 has increased to more than five million in 2019.

The dengue mosquito has invaded 13 European countries since 2000, while 2023 saw outbreaks in France, Italy and Spain.

Until recently, dengue was largely confined to tropical and subtropical regions, the researchers said, because freezing temperatures in other areas killed mosquito eggs and hatchlings.