Chikungunya circulates at a level never seen in France so early in the year

“These indigenous cases. In addition, the first symptoms of which appeared between May 27 and June 19, are the earliest ever identified in France”, underlines Public Health France in a weekly assessment.

An indigenous case means that contamination took place on site and not outside the territory. For example, This means that the chikungunya virus, which is transmitted via tiger mosquito bites, is actively circulating in France.

For the time being. Nevertheless, eight indigenous cases have been detected, all in the south of the country: in Hérault, Var, Bouches-du-Rhône, Drôme, Gard and in Corsica. Nevertheless, “Such precocity in the mosquito activity season. For example, such a high number of episodes had never been observed so far”, Insists Public Health France.

Links with the epidemic in Reunion – Chikungunya circulates level never seen

The agency had already warned last week that the first cases were chikungunya circulates level never seen the earliest ever identified in mainland France. but, with this acceleration, it is this time even more affirmative on the unprecedented character of this year.

In addition. Public Santé France France says it has established a clear link between several cases that appeared in France and the current epidemic overseas in Reunion, where some 200,000 inhabitants have been contaminated since March generating around twenty deaths.

“For at least two indigenous cases. the identification of viremic cases from the meeting (East) probably at the origin of local transmission “underlines the agency.

The heat waves conducive to the tiger mosquito

Even if we cannot speak at this stage of epidemic in France. this observation fuels the fear of an epidemic transmission with Reunion. This risk has been mentioned for several weeks by the health authorities. It is all the more increased with the return of the hot weather. chikungunya circulates level never seen High temperatures contribute to the circulation of the Tiger mosquito, a phenomenon accentuated by global warming.

In addition to Reunion. where the epidemic is now losing frankly with the arrival of southern winter, another epidemic of Chikungunya is also underway in Mayotte. But its magnitude is difficult to determine. the authorities judge that the number of cases declared is probably lower than reality.