Global warming is reshaping the landscape of infectious disease, according to Paul Chaplin, chief executive of vaccine developer Bavarian Nordic. In a recent interview, Chaplin highlighted how higher ambient temperatures are extending the geographic reach of tick‑borne encephalitis (TBE) and the mosquito‑borne chikungunya virus, prompting greater demand for the company’s travel‑health vaccines.
Rising risk for tick‑borne encephalitis in Germany and Scandinavia
Chaplin noted that the number of German regions classified as at risk for TBE has risen steadily each year. Historically confined to southern Germany, the disease is now moving northward, and similar trends are observed across Scandinavia where milder winters support larger tick populations. The Robert Koch Institute reported 693 TBE cases in Germany last year, the third‑highest total since data collection began in 2001, and added two new risk areas to its map.
Chikungunya’s march into Europe and the United States
Chikungunya, once limited to Asia and South America, is also expanding its footprint. Mosquito species capable of transmitting the virus are already present throughout Europe, and imported cases have sparked local outbreaks in Italy and France. France reported locally acquired cases this year, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). Chaplin warned that “it’s probably only a matter of time until chikungunya, unfortunately, is prevalent in southern Europe, but also in the States.”
Vaccine demand surges amid climate‑driven threats
Bavarian Nordic’s travel‑health division is benefiting from the heightened awareness of these diseases. Sales of its chikungunya vaccine Vimkunya, approved in the United States and the European Union in February 2025, jumped 415 % in the second quarter. Revenue from its TBE vaccine Encepur rose 58 % over the same period, reflecting growing demand from travelers and health‑care providers seeking protection against emerging vector‑borne threats.
Implications for public health and preparedness
The company’s outlook underscores the broader public‑health challenge of adapting to a warming climate. Health officials in Germany, Scandinavia, and the United States are urged to monitor expanding vector habitats, update risk maps, and ensure vaccine availability for at‑risk populations. As temperatures continue to climb, the intersection of climate change and infectious disease is likely to become an increasingly prominent concern for policymakers and medical professionals alike.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
