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Global Warming Fuels Spread of Dangerous Viruses
21 Aug
Summary
- Global warming is increasing the spread of tick-borne encephalitis and chikungunya viruses.
- Bavarian Nordic's chikungunya vaccine sales surged 415% in the second quarter.
- Tick-borne encephalitis is moving north in Germany and increasing in Scandinavia.
The global rise in temperature is exacerbating the spread of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) and chikungunya viruses, according to Bavarian Nordic's CEO. This trend is significantly impacting the company's travel-health business. Sales for their chikungunya vaccine, Vimkunya, approved in February 2025, jumped 415% in the recent second quarter.
Revenue from their TBE vaccine, Encepur, also climbed 58%. Bavarian Nordic's chief executive cited Germany as a major market where TBE is increasingly a concern, noting the disease's northward progression from southern regions. Scandinavia is also experiencing a rise in TBE cases, attributed to a warming climate and milder winters.
Beyond TBE, chikungunya, a mosquito-borne illness traditionally found in Asia and South America, is now appearing more frequently in Europe. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has noted imported cases leading to local outbreaks, with France reporting locally acquired cases this year. Experts predict chikungunya will likely become prevalent in southern Europe and the United States.
