First domestic case of chikungunya recorded in mainland France in 2025: Prevention tips

The first domestic case of chikungunya virus this year in mainland France has been recorded in south-east France. 

The case was detected in La Crau in Var on Wednesday (June 11), announced the Agence Régionale de Santé (ARS) today (June 13). 

“Immediate measures are being implemented to limit any risk of spread,” it said.

The virus is one of several spread by tiger mosquitoes, which are now found in all regions of France. 

A special mosquito taskforce in the area will seek to reduce the insect’s population and limit any spread of domestic cases of the disease, which can cause sickness for several weeks. 

Around 1 in 1,000 cases of the disease lead to death, but there is no effective antiviral treatment for it.

First domestic case 

Many cases of the virus have been reported in mainland France this year, however these have come after people travelled abroad and then returned to the country. 

An outbreak of the disease in the French overseas department of Réunion has been a major factor in the high numbers of the virus this year, leading to hundreds of imported cases particularly around the east of France.

The case in La Crau however is the first where a person caught the virus without travelling abroad. 

“We refer to a case as indigenous {domestic] when a person has contracted the disease on national territory and has not travelled to a contaminated area in the 15 days prior to the onset of symptoms,” the ARS said. 

It means the person probably caught the disease after being bitten by a mosquito in France as it is not spread between humans. 

The risk of this is that there are now mosquitoes in the mainland that can spread the disease which can be difficult to counter due to the rapid expansion of the tiger mosquito population in the summer. 

Health authorities are conducting door-to-door surveys in the area to see if anyone else is displaying symptoms of the virus. 

These include: 

• High fever

• Joint and muscle pain

• Fatigue

• Headaches

• Rashes

Those in the area presenting these symptoms should see a doctor immediately. 

Spread through mosquitoes - what can be done? 

The virus is spread largely through tiger mosquitoes, similar to other diseases such as Zika virus and dengue fever. 

Tiger mosquitoes are now a common occurrence during the summer months across France, and the domestic case of chikungunya has led to renewed calls for people to be more vigilant about destroying breeding grounds. 

Several local authorities provide funding to residents to help buy traps, and traps of varying price are available to purchase online. 

In addition, a department in the south-west has begun to release millions of sterile male mosquitoes so females lay 'empty' eggs. 

Homeowners are also being encouraged to reduce the number of areas where mosquitoes can lay eggs, with a focus on removing pools of stagnant water.

Often found in gardens under plant pots, in ponds and wells, gutters, etc, stagnant water can become a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

The mosquitoes rarely fly more than a few hundred metres from where they hatch, so if you have a recurring spot for mosquitoes to lay eggs, it can quickly become a major problem.

Using mosquito nets and anti-mosquito sprays and plugs can also be useful, and minimising the risk of being bitten by wearing long, loose-fitting, clothing is also recommended.