Chikungunya casesโ Surge in Alpes-Maritimes, Antibes Hit Hardest
Antibes, France – Health authorities โare battling a localized outbreak of chikungunya fever in the Alpes-Maritimes department, with 38 confirmed cases concentrated in Antibes, according to the regional healthโ agency (ARS). The outbreak extends to neighboring municipalities including Cagnes-sur-Mer, La Gaude, and Auribeau-sur-Siagne, prompting intensive public health measures.
This surge โrepresents an unprecedented level of โคtransmission within mainlandโข France, mirroring a nationalโค trend that has already surpassed 300 autochthonousโข cases this summer. Chikungunya,a mosquito-borne viral disease,causesโ fever and severe joint pain,and can lead to chronic complications.The ARS is prioritizing containment to prevent wider โspread, particularly as the mosquito population โremains active.
The ARS is conducting door-to-door surveys andโฃ field investigationsโ in affected โฃareas, working alongside France’s public โhealth teams. Each confirmed case triggers individualโ contact tracing and targeted mosquito control efforts,known asโ demoustication,coordinated withโค theโ EID (Entente interdรฉpartementale pour la Dรฉmoustication).”Crucial as thay areโข theโ ones who spot the symptoms of chikungunya inโ patients who go to consultation, โwho declare cases to ARS and who can mostly deliver the recommendationsโข for the protection of bites to stop theโฃ chain of transmission,” stated theโ ARS, โemphasizing the vital role of healthcare โprofessionals in identifying and managing the outbreak.
To alert residents, the ARS PACA has launched localized communication campaigns, including geolocated SMS messages. Approximately 11,000 residents of Antibes received alertโฃ SMS โmessages on Thursday. Additional awareness initiatives include digitalโ advertising and informational displays in pharmacies.
Alongside chikungunya, cases of dengue fever, alsoโ transmittedโ by mosquitoes, are also on the โฃrise, with โฃten households-totaling 19 cases-affected in mainland France this summer, though still below the 66 cases recorded in 2024. Public health Franceโฃ continues to monitor both diseases closely.