Mosquito radar Europe: your guide to a bite-free vacation

We've all been there: you're enjoying your vacation, sipping a glass of wine on the balcony, when suddenly you feel a sting. Mosquitoes are a major nuisance at many popular European vacation destinations. Certain species, such as the Asian tiger mosquito, can even be dangerous. We've compiled a list of the most common mosquito bite locations in Europe so you can be better prepared for your trip.

The common house mosquito

Let's start with the common house mosquito, Culex pipiens. This mosquito is not only ubiquitous in the Netherlands. It is found throughout Europe, except for Iceland and the Faroe Islands, due to the cold and windy climate. If you want to be sure of a mosquito-free vacation, these two locations are an option.

The common house mosquito is particularly active in summer in countries such as Greece, Italy, Spain, and southern France. In Greece, for example, it is especially prevalent in tourist areas such as Crete, Rhodes, Corfu, and the Peloponnese, where warm weather and stagnant water provide ideal breeding grounds.

Not everyone is aware that the common house mosquito can spread the West Nile virus, a disease first discovered in Uganda in 1937. This virus usually causes flu-like symptoms, but in rare cases can lead to severe brain inflammation. In Europe, 698 people were infected with the West Nile virus in 2023, mainly in Greece, Italy, and Romania. Sixty-four people died. There is no vaccine against the disease yet.

The risk of disease transmission in the Netherlands is currently low because the mosquitoes here do not usually come into contact with infected people (the viruses must first infect the mosquito).

To prevent infection with the West Nile virus, and of course those annoying mosquito bites, you can:

• use mosquito repellents (such as DEET)
• wear long sleeves and pants in the evening and at night
• close windows and doors properly or fit them with mosquito nets

Overview of the spread of the common house mosquito in Europe. Credits: European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control

The Asian tiger mosquito

Then there is the Asian tiger mosquito: the Aedes albopictus. This is an invasive mosquito species. As its name suggests, the tiger mosquito originates from Southeast Asia, where the combination of moisture and heat provides ideal breeding grounds. However, due to climate change, the species is now spreading further and further across Europe. In ten years, the mosquito spread from 114 regions in eight countries to 337 regions in 13 countries, advancing further and further north.

The tiger mosquito was first seen in Europe in Albania in 1979. It now occurs in more than a dozen European countries, including well-known vacation destinations. For example, in northern and central Italy (e.g., Tuscany, Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna) and France (Côte d'Azur, Provence, and parts of Occitania). This year, it has also been spotted in the Netherlands. And not just once: this mosquito species has now been observed in dozens of municipalities in the Netherlands.

It is black with white stripes and bites during the day, unlike many other mosquito species, which are mainly active around sunrise and sunset. Tiger mosquitoes are mainly found in urban areas and near water.

These mosquitoes don't just cause itching. They can also transmit diseases such as dengue fever, which causes fever and severe muscle pain. Zika is also present. This virus can cause serious birth defects in pregnant women. There is a vaccine for dengue fever, but not yet for Zika.

The prevention tips for house mosquito bites also work for Asian tiger mosquitoes. A fan also helps, as this type of mosquito has difficulty flying against the airflow.

Overview of the spread of the Asian tiger mosquito in Europe. Credits: European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control

The yellow fever mosquito

Finally, we mention the yellow fever mosquito: the Aedes aegypti. Like the tiger mosquito, this species also has black and white stripes on its legs and body. The name says it all: this species spreads yellow fever. The infection does not always cause symptoms: approximately one in five infected people become ill. The symptoms vary greatly, from mild flu-like symptoms to high fever with bleeding. Approximately 10% of patients die from yellow fever. There is no specific treatment for this disease (yet).

The yellow fever mosquito does not occur in the Netherlands. Zooming out, we see that this mosquito species is only found in Europe on Madeira and in a region of northeastern Turkey.

Madeira is a popular vacation destination, where cruise ships sometimes bring as many as 12,000 day tourists to the streets of downtown Funchal. However, tourists and residents of Madeira do not need to worry immediately. The yellow fever mosquito is present on the island, but the yellow fever virus itself is not yet present. Without the virus, yellow fever cannot occur. Therefore, vaccination against yellow fever is not necessary for a trip to Madeira.

Overview of the spread of the yellow fever mosquito in Europe. Credits: European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control

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