Chikungunya Outbreak Spreads in France, Raising Health Concerns

Recent Developments in Southern France

An outbreak of Chikungunya is currently spreading within France, sparking worry among public health officials. The situation, first emerging in the Indian Ocean region, has now reached the Mediterranean coast. Authorities are actively monitoring the situation, as cases continue to emerge in previously unaffected areas.

According to a June 16, 2025, press release from the Occitanie Regional Health Agency, a local Chikungunya case was confirmed in the Hérault Department. This department contains the city of Montpellier, which has a population of roughly 800,000 citizens. Since May 2025, there have been 59 travel-related instances reported in the Occitanie region. Officials have alerted anyone who has been to this city and shown signs suggestive of the disease to see a medical professional.

Additional Case Reports

Another indigenous case of the disease was documented in La Crau (Var) on June 11, 2025. During the previous year, France had more than 20 travel-associated cases alongside one local instance in Île-de-France (Paris).

“If your plans include visiting areas affected by the Chikungunya outbreak in 2025, the French and US health agencies recommend discussing vaccination options with a travel vaccination expert.”

— French Health Agency

The World Health Organization (WHO) states that the disease is a viral illness spread to people by mosquito bites. Symptoms often include fever and joint pain (WHO, 2024).

Recommendations

If your travel plans encompass zones affected by the outbreak, it’s prudent to talk about vaccination choices with a travel vaccination specialist. Approved Chikungunya vaccines provide a high degree of protection against the mosquito-borne illness.