TIGER mosquitoes carrying killer 'breakbone' fever have made home or been spotted in at least 18 EU countries. Popular tourist hotspots, like Spain and Greece , are among the places where the disease-ridden critter has become established. The bugs have become a growing threat to Europe over the past two decades as warmer temperatures have allowed the blood-sucking nat to thrive, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control ( ECDC ).
European scientists have linked their presence to a recent surge in dengue cases on the continent. They fear international travel will increase the risk of more local outbreaks - including in the UK. In France, which is holding the Olympics in July, alarm bells have already started ringing.
A health ministry official said earlier authorities were preparing for possible disease threats during the games by monitoring and trapping the insect. The mosquitos have already become "established" in Austria , Bulgaria, Croatia , France , Germany , Greece, Hungary , Italy , Malta, Portugal , Romania , Slovenia and Spain, according to the health body. This means it has developed a self-sustaining population that is reproducing in the country.
And once a mosquito is established somewhere, it is practically impossible to get rid of. It has also been spotted in Belgium , Cyprus, Czechia, the Netherlands and Slovakia . London could become the next hotspot for the irrepressible critter within the next decade, experts have previously warned .
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