France Visitors Continue Bringing Chikungunya, Dengue, and Zika Viruses

Throughout 2024, mosquito-transmitted viruses have been reported in many countries, including the French Republic. Unfortunately, some of France's 100 million annual visitors are infected with viruses that mosquitoes can later spread locally.

France's Regional Health Agencies, Santé publique France, and mosquito control operators recently reported Indigenous transmission and travel-related cases of chikungunya, dengue, and Zika diseases.

From January to September 10, 2024, the following diseases were disclosed:

• 3,643 imported cases of dengue fever, including 1,224 in departments where the establishment of Aedes albopictus has been documented,
• 21 imported cases of chikungunya in 11 departments colonized by Aedes albopictus,
• 5 imported cases of Zika in 3 departments colonized by Aedes albopictus.

Most of these travel-related diseases (331;8;2) were detected in the Ile-de-France region, which includes the city of Paris, which has an estimated population of 12 million.

Previously, the European CDC published a report on August 30, 2024, confirming three locally acquired chikungunya cases in France's Department of La Réunion.

Furthermore, detecting a case of dengue, chikungunya, or Zika gives rise to epidemiological investigations, which quickly trigger vector control measures and thus limit the risk of local virus transmission.

These actions have confirmed indigenous chikungunya and dengue transmission in mainland France during the 2024 season.

However, France is not alone in reporting these diseases.

Last year, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) reported approximately 460,000 Chikungunya cases and 360-related deaths worldwide.

And as of September 2024, the WHO's Dengue outbreak dashboard indicates that 90 countries have reported over 11 million Dengue cases and 7,009 related deaths this year.

"If traveling outside of the US, all travelers need to be aware of the vaccine recommendations for the specific countries they will be entering," commented Jeanne Waggener, R.Ph., on September 16, 2024

"France currently has known cases of dengue fever, chikungunya, and Zika, which are transmitted through mosquitoes, although vaccines are only available for dengue fever and chikungunya at this time."

"At least one month before visiting France, schedule a visit with your healthcare provider or check with your local travel clinics and pharmacies in order to receive the recommended immunizations," added Waggener.

While no Zika prevention vaccines will be available in 2024, various countries offer people access to Chikungunya and Dengue vaccines.

For example, in the United States, the Food and Drug Administration approved Valneva SE's IXCHIQ® single-dose, live-attenuated chikungunya vaccine in 2023, and it is readily available today at travel clinics and pharmacies.

The U.S. CDC recommends checking this vaccines and medicines list and visiting your healthcare provider at least a month before visiting France to get routine and travel vaccines you may need.