Chikungunya Virus Infection in France

24 Oct 2014

Four confirmed cases of locally acquired chikungunya virus infection have been reported in Montpellier, the capital of the Languedoc-Roussillon region in southern France, located on the coast on the Mediterranean sea.

The last time locally acquired chikungunya virus infection was reported in France was in 2010.

The four cases are all from the same family and they reported no travel history in the 15 days prior to the onset of symptoms. The family does however, live in an area where a case of chikungunya virus infection was imported from Cameroon.

The Public Health authorities are: raising public awareness about the cluster of cases and the disease, implementing vector control to reduce the risk of further cases and providing advice for healthcare practitioners on the management of cases.

Advice for Travellers

Avoidance of mosquito bites, particularly during daylight hours, by covering up with clothing, the use of bite avoidance measures such as repellent and bed nets is advised. Elimination of breeding sites around hotel rooms/houses is advised for longer term stays.

• Further information on insect bite avoidance.
• Further information on chikungunya virus.