Climate change could accelerate the emergence of vector-borne diseases such as chikungunya, dengue fever, and West Nile virus in the UK, public health experts warn.
Writing in Lancet Infectious Diseases the authors say climate change models predict suitable temperatures for one month of chikungunya virus transmission in London by 2041, and up to 3 months in southeast England by 2071.
Chikungunya fever usually starts after 2 to 4 days of virus infection and is accompanied by joint pain and swelling which can last for many months.