World Mosquito Day 2026 – August 20

Key facts

• World Mosquito Day is observed annually on August 20.
• On August 20, 2026, a commentary published in the journal Eurosurveillance urged stronger mosquito control as dengue, chikungunya and West Nile virus become established risks in Europe.
• The commentary was authored by scientists from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), the European Environment Agency (EEA) and the European Commission.
• The scientists linked the rise of mosquito-borne diseases to climate change, environmental transformation and increased international travel.
• The article also highlighted the sterile insect technique (SIT) as a pilot method for suppressing mosquito populations in Europe.