France: Chikungunya afflicts at least 17 in Var department /update 1

Event

According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), an outbreak of autochthonous chikungunya is ongoing in the Var department, with at least 17 report cases as of October 3. Out of the 17 total cases, 11 were reported in Cannet-des-Maures and six in Taradeau. Both clusters of cases are likely linked, and epidemiologically originate from a central African strain. The expected arrival of colder weather in France over the next several weeks will likely hinder the spread of chikungunya in the affected regions.

Context

According to the ECDC, the Aedes albopictus mosquito species, which carries the virus, has been identified in the south of France. Local transmission of the virus is not infrequent in the country during summer months. Cases of the disease were previously reported in the region in 2010.

Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne disease. Symptoms include high fever, joint and muscle pain, rash, headache, nausea, and fatigue. The virus is rarely fatal but lingering joint pain can last for several weeks, even months, after the initial recovery. No treatment or vaccine for the virus is currently available.

Advice

Individuals present in southeastern France - particularly those in the Var department - are advised to take measures to protect themselves from mosquito bites (e.g., wearing covering clothing, using insect repellent, sleeping in a screened-in or air conditioned room) and to eliminate possible mosquito breeding grounds (small pockets of fresh water, such as rain water that has collected in cans, bottles, tires, flower pots, clogged gutters, etc.).