What the health authorities feared was happening … the cases of dengue and chikungunya gradually extend to the entire metropolis, after having struck in recent months overseas, mainly in Guadeloupe and Martinique for Dengue, and on Reunion Island for Chikungunya.
According to the France public health census, on August 5, 21 “episodes” of indigenous transmission were identified in France: 16 episodes of Chikungunya (1 to 13 cases per episode) and five of dengue (1 to 3 cases per episode). We speak of “indigenous transmission” when the disease has been contracted locally, without the person having traveled in an area where it is actively circulating. Clearly, this means that in the regions concerned, mosquitoes have become carriers and vectors of the virus.
“The number of transmission foci illustrates the significant risk of indigenous transmission of these viruses in France,” warns Public Health France. In detail, 72 Aboriginal cases were counted last week in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, Corsica, Occitanie, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes regions, already affected in previous years, and, for the first time, in the Grand Est and in New Aquitaine.
“Other cases will probably be identified, including outside the usual transmission areas”, comments Public Health France, which recalls “the importance of the reporting of cases, which allows rapid intervention aimed at limiting transmission, as well as the importance of protective measures against mosquito bites and the fight against larval lodges”.
In addition, 1is May 2025, date of the start of reinforced surveillance, on August 5, 892 cases imported from Chikungunya, 698 cases imported from dengue and three cases imported from Zika were identified.
