This year has been unprecedented for many European countries, reeling under severe infections and diseases, most of which have been life-threatening. However, experts are warning of more severe infections which may be possible threats you may come across on your summer holiday to the world’s favourite destination.

Scientists say as temperatures are rising, a range of disease-ridden insects have made their way to the North from places like Africa, Asia, and Central and South America, spreading infections that were earlier unheard of in cold areas.

Three different types of disease-riddled mosquito, three types of infection-prone ticks, and one nasty fly species are 'established' in several European countries, according to the most recent annual report by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Since the climate is now more “suitable” for these pathogens to breed and spread, experts warn of a rapid spread of infections in parts of Europe.

"Many of these insect species prefer warm and humid weather. Their larvae develop faster in warmer temperatures and a longer breeding season allowing larger populations to develop," Dr. Francois Balloux of the University College of London Genetics Institute, told The Sun.

The ECDC says it is tracking the spread of different species of bugs that can carry and transmit several different viruses to humans. These include:

Also known as break-bone fever, dengue is a viral disease spread by certain types of mosquitoes in tropical and subtropical areas. It is caused by one of four dengue viruses, and symptoms usually start within a few days of being bitten but can take up to two weeks to develop.

statistics say nearly 400 million people get infected with dengue each year, but most – around 80 per cent have no symptoms.

Doctors say the dengue virus destroys parts of your blood that form clots and give structure to your blood vessels. This, along with certain chemicals that your immune system creates, can make your blood leak out of your vessels and cause internal bleeding, leading to the life-threatening symptoms of severe dengue which include high fever, rashes, body pain, and even vomiting and nausea.

Chikungunya is a viral disease that is spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. The name comes from the Kimakonde words which mean stooped walk because the infection causes severe joint and muscle pain. Other symptoms include fever, headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, and rash.

The infection is widespread in popular holiday destinations like Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Croatia, Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, North Macedonia, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey and Portugal.

According to doctors, the best way to prevent chikungunya is to avoid mosquito bites in areas where the virus may be present. You can try using an insect repellent that contains DEET or picaridin and eliminate mosquito breeding sites. Vaccination is also recommended for some travelers.

Spain, Bulgaria, and Greece have seen an unprecedented rise in the number of CCHF - a tick-borne virus that causes severe bleeding and high fever. Even though it is not very common, the infection, which causes flu-like symptoms that lead to severe bleeding from the eyes and organ failure, has been cropping up in Europe.

According to the World Health Organisation, the infection kills up to 40 per cent of infected people.

Last month, British scientists warned the disease could be expanding out of its usual territories and moving towards the UK and France.

Spread by Phlebotomine sand flies, Leishmaniasis - a common rainforest and desert-bound infection is now spreading across many European countries.

It causes sores on the skin that may develop into painful ulcers in the nose, mouth, and throat, causing wounds that can permanently disfigure the patient. The most serious form of the disease affects internal organs such as the liver and spleen, causing fever, weight loss, and anemia.

If not treated in time, it can cause death.

Spread by European deer ticks, Lyme disease has been established in most European countries this summer, including the UK and France. According to experts, a bite from tiny ticks, usually found in grassy areas, can result in debilitating Lyme disease, which is a bacterial infection passed on to humans from infected ticks.

Symptoms of Lyme disease include a circular or oval rash around the bite area, as well as fatigue and flu-like symptoms. While it can be treated with the help of antibiotics, if left untreated, the infection can spread to the heart, joints, and nervous system.

Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from Health and around the world.