Health. Chikungunya: 12 transmission hotspots identified in mainland France, 31 cases in total

Twelve chikungunya transmission hotspots have now been identified in mainland France, with around thirty cases in total, Public Health France announced on Wednesday, warning that this upward trend is likely to continue.

"The number of transmission hotspots illustrates the significant risk of indigenous transmission of these viruses in mainland France," the public health agency warned in a weekly report. "Other cases will likely be identified, including outside the usual transmission areas."

So far, 12 outbreaks of chikungunya, a virus transmitted through tiger mosquito bites and causing high fevers and muscle pain, have been reported, for a total of 31 cases. "In Salon-de-Provence (Bouches-du-Rhône), 13 cases have been identified, including two cases residing in the neighboring towns of Grans and Lambesc," Public Health France reports. "This is the most widespread outbreak at this stage." According to the bulletin, "they total 31 cases and are located in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Corsica, Occitanie, and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes regions, which have already been affected in previous years, and for the first time in Grand Est and Nouvelle-Aquitaine."

This level, exceptionally high in mainland France so early in the summer, is explained in particular by an overseas epidemic that has hit Réunion and Mayotte in recent months. Since spring, health authorities have recorded several hundred cases arriving in mainland France from Réunion. In addition, there is an indigenous case of dengue fever, reported in early July in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. This is the only one in mainland France so far, as this disease is also transmitted by the tiger mosquito. The risk of epidemic transmission of these viruses in mainland France is also increased by the high temperatures: high temperatures contribute to the circulation of the tiger mosquito, a phenomenon exacerbated by global warming.