Chikungunya Cases Surge Across Southern France

Health officials are sounding the alarm as locally acquired cases of chikungunya virus increase in France. Public health is urging preventative measures to mitigate the risk of infection for residents and travelers alike.

Local Outbreak Spreads

Since late May 2025, a total of eight locally transmitted chikungunya cases have been confirmed in southern France. The affected regions include Occitane (Hérault and Gard), Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (Var and Bouches-du-Rhône), Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (Drôme), and the Island of Corse (Corse-du-Sud).

“This number of episodes has never been observed in France before.”

— Government Official

While the cases in Réunion and the Indian Ocean are diminishing, they remain high. The prevalence of imported chikungunya cases over the past nine weeks totals 645.

Public Health Recommendations

The government is urging protective measures. These include preventative practices against mosquito bites, controlling larval breeding locations, and utilizing protective vaccination if required. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 1.4 million cases of chikungunya are estimated to occur annually worldwide. (CDC)