France reports autochthonous chikungunya case in Ile-de-France region
Sante Publique France reports the first locally-transmitted chikungunya case of 2024 in an individual from Ile-de-France region.
In addition to the indigenous case, France has also reported nine imported chikungunya cases since the beginning of the year.
Chikungunya virus disease is an Aedes-borne disease widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions. Globally, the virus is predominantly transmitted by Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus mosquitoes. While Ae. aegypti is so far not established in mainland EU, Ae. albopictus is established in the southern and central parts of mainland EU and is spreading.
From 2010 to 2017, France has seen 31 locally transmitted cases -2010 (2), 2014 (12) and 2017 (17).
No events of autochthonous transmission were reported in the EU/EEA since 2017, until now.
In June, French officials reported their first indigenous dengue fever case of the year in Occitania region.
Most people infected with chikungunya virus (CHIKV) develop symptoms within 3–7 days. The most common symptoms of acute disease are fever and joint pain. Other symptoms can include headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, or rash. Most patients recover within a week, but some develop joint pain for several months or longer, which can be disabling.
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A small proportion of patients may develop severe acute disease, which can lead to multiorgan failure and is most often observed in newborns exposed to the virus during childbirth and adults over 65 years old.
There is no licensed treatment for Chikungunya. Treatment is focused on relieving the symptoms.
Chikungunya: Epidemiology, Transmission and Therapeutics
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has recommended granting a marketing authorization in the European Union (EU) for Ixchiq, the first vaccine in the EU to protect adults 18 years and older against Chikungunya.