Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-002763/2025/rev.1
to the Commission
Rule 144
Julien Leonardelli (PfE), Georgiana Teodorescu (ECR), António Tânger Corrêa (PfE), André Rougé (PfE), Rody Tolassy (PfE), Marie-Luce Brasier-Clain (PfE), Susanna Ceccardi (PfE), France Jamet (PfE)
We are witnessing a veritable invasion of tiger mosquitoes in southern regions of France and of Europe. They are not only harmful, but also pose a health hazard. They are vectors of diseases such as dengue, chikungunya and Zika virus.
Cases of dengue (178 cases[1] in Occitanie[2] in 2024[3]) and chikungunya have been reported in southern France[4]. In 2023, 82 indigenous dengue cases were reported in Italy[5], and the species has spread to all regions of Romania[6] and Spain[7], even to the most inland areas such as Aragon or Madrid[8].
Municipalities must carry out investment plans: install mosquito traps[9], eliminate stagnant water or introduce natural predators of the tiger mosquito[10].
In view of the above:
- 1.Does the Commission intend to unlock funds to enable affected European municipalities to invest in measures to combat the tiger mosquito?
- 2.Will it support the measures to combat the health risk posed by tiger mosquitoes, in particular by releasing sterilised males to prevent their reproduction[11]?
- 3.Does it intend to launch a European plan to combat tiger mosquitoes – which have been ravaging the southern regions of Europe for many years – in particular through mosquito eradication measures?
Supporter[12]
Submitted: 8.7.2025
- [1] According to French Public Health Data, December 2024.
- [2] Actu.fr (21 July 2024). ‘Tiger mosquito invasion in Tarn: mosquito control operation and measures’, Actu Occitanie, https://actu.fr/occitanie/albi_81004/invasion-de-moustiques-tigres-dans-le-tarn-une-operation-de-demoustication-et-des-mesures_59894192.html.
- [3] According to the 5 November 2024 epidemiological update by the Occitanie Regional Health Agency (ARS Occitanie), there had been three confirmed indigenous dengue outbreaks.
- [4] France 24 (18 June 2025). ‘Chikungunya: the two recent indigenous cases are the earliest ever identified in mainland France’, France 24, https://www.france24.com/fr/info-en-continu/20250618-chikungunya-les-deux-cas-autochtones-r%C3%A9cents-sont-les-plus-pr%C3%A9coces-jamais-identifi%C3%A9s-en-m%C3%A9tropole.
- [5] Based on ECDC data.
- [6] Romania Insider (8 May 2024). ‘Mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus found in Bucharest’, Romania Insider, https://www.romania-insider.com/mosquitoes-west-nile-virus-found-bucharest-2024.
- [7] Le Petit Journal, Madrid (June 2025). ‘Tiger mosquito in Spain: risk of dengue’, Le Petit Journal, https://lepetitjournal.com/madrid/sante/moustique-tigre-espagne-risques-dengue-388770.
- [8] According to Carlos III Hospital in Madrid.
- [9] Department of Tarn (n.d.). ‘The Department is taking action again the tiger mosquito’, Tarn.fr, https://www.tarn.fr/votre-departement/agit-a-vos-cotes/pour-la-sante/le-departement-agit-contre-le-moustique-tigre#:~:text=Le%20d%C3%A9partement%20du%20Tarn%20ne,sont%20concern%C3%A9s%20dont%20le%20Tarn.
- [10] La Dépêche du Midi (26 May 2025). ‘“This plague is making life miserable for local residents”: how several municipalities in the Tarn region are combating the proliferation of tiger mosquitoes before the summer’, LaDepeche.fr, https://www.ladepeche.fr/2025/====doc–fleau-pollue-la-vie-de-nos-concitoyens-comment-plusieurs-communes-du-tarn-luttent-contre-la-proliferation-des-moustiques-tigres-avant-lete-12690547.php.
- [11] Mousteek (n.d.). ‘The sterile insect technique tested in Italy’, Mousteek, https://www.mousteek.fr/moustique-tigre-sterile-italie/.
- [12] This question is supported by a Member other than the authors: Jean-Paul Garraud (PfE)