Nicosia: Cyprus was among nine countries that did not have systematic surveillance of Culex mosquitoes, the genus that transmits West Nile Virus (WNV), during the 2020-2025 period, but the only EU Member State to explicitly state that it is currently developing this capacity, according to a new ECDC report.
According to Cyprus News Agency, with regard to invasive Aedes mosquitoes, which transmit dengue and chikungunya, Cyprus is listed among the countries carrying out both surveillance and control. Cyprus is also among the few countries with a legal framework providing specific tools to facilitate mosquito control, including the right of access to private property, regulations on tyre storage, and import regulations concerning invasive species-measures that are absent in the majority of European countries.
Cyprus is also one of only four countries, alongside Italy, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands, to report that its budget adequately covers mosquito control needs, while nine of the 17 countries carrying out Aedes control reported insufficient funding. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) is calling on Europe to strengthen mosquito preparedness and control on the occasion of World Mosquito Day, noting that the risk of mosquito-borne diseases is increasing across the continent.
The ECDC said that WNV is spreading to new areas, while invasive mosquito species are becoming established in an increasing number of locations across Europe. According to the latest weekly ECDC data, six regions in Europe reported locally acquired WNV cases for the first time this year. By 13 August 2026, 429 locally acquired cases had been reported in nine European countries.
The ECDC noted that, as transmission usually peaks in August and early September, further cases are expected. The Centre stressed that the spread of WNV transmission, alongside the expansion of invasive mosquito species, demonstrates why Europe needs to strengthen its mosquito control capacity. It added that close cooperation at the European level and an integrated approach combining surveillance, community engagement, and targeted control solutions while respecting the environment are needed.
While Culex mosquitoes, which transmit WNV, are already widespread across Europe, the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus), which can transmit dengue and chikungunya viruses, is now established in 16 European countries, twice as many as 12 years ago. At the same time, the ECDC published a new report on mosquito surveillance and control practices in Europe, with Cyprus among the 26 countries that responded to the ECDC questionnaire. Regarding WNV specifically, the report points to a system still under development.
According to the report, Cyprus was among nine countries that did not have systematic surveillance of Culex mosquitoes, the genus that transmits WNV, during the 2020-2025 period. Cyprus, however, was the only EU Member State to explicitly state that it is currently developing this capacity. The other Member States that did not conduct surveillance mainly cited a lack of resources or said that they did not consider the virus a public health problem for humans and animals.
With regard to invasive Aedes mosquitoes, which transmit dengue and chikungunya, Cyprus is listed among the countries carrying out both surveillance and control. Cyprus is also among the few countries with a legal framework providing specific tools to facilitate mosquito control, including the right of access to private property, regulations on tyre storage, and import regulations concerning invasive species-measures that are absent in the majority of European countries. Cyprus is also one of only four countries, alongside Italy, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands, to report that its budget adequately covers mosquito control needs, while nine of the 17 countries carrying out Aedes control reported insufficient funding.
The ECDC stresses that effective mosquito control requires an integrated approach combining mosquito and disease surveillance, management of breeding sites, community engagement, and targeted measures adapted to local conditions. Insecticide resistance, environmental concerns, and the limited range of authorised products further underline the need for more diversified control options and stronger evidence on their effectiveness, safety, and environmental impact.