Native cases of chikungunya rising in France: symptoms and prevention tips

Health authorities in France are warning of an alarming rise in domestic cases of chikungunya, as more than a dozen infections have been reported so far this year alongside thousands of imported ones. 

In its latest bulletin, France Santé publique reported that as of July 1, 14 domestic cases of the disease have been confirmed. 

Since then, media outlets reported that a five-year-old was hospitalised in Gironde after being infected with the virus. 

The disease, which is spread by tiger mosquitoes, is now present in all regions of France.

Its symptoms include high fever, joint and muscle pain, fatigue, headaches, and rashes. Anyone who presents these symptoms in an area with an outbreak should immediately see their GP.

The rise in domestic cases – when someone tests positive for chikungunya without travelling outside mainland France – is worrying because of both the number and spread of locations where they have been reported, making it harder for officials to contain the virus. 

Cases have been confirmed in the following locations:

• Prades-le-Lez, Hérault

• La Crau, Var (2 cases)

• Salon de Provence, Bouche-du-Rhône (5 cases) 

• Grosseto-Prugna, Corse-du-Sud (3 cases) 

• Montoison, Drôme 

• Bernis, Gard

• Lipshein, Bas-Rhin

• Illats, Gironde

Nouvelle-Aquitaine and the Grand-Est recently identified their first domestic cases this year. While other regions - such as Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Corse, Occitanie and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes - have reported domestic infections for several years.

More than 1,600 imported cases have already been confirmed in 2025, with 712 infections between May 1 and July 1. An additional 400 imported cases of dengue fever and one imported case of Zika were also reported.

An outbreak has been reported in the French overseas territory of Réunion. The majority of imported cases can be traced to the island.

Combat tiger mosquitoes to stop spread

France Santé publique reported that the case in Grand-Est is the same strain of the virus seen in Réunion and other areas across the Indian Ocean, which is a hardy version and ‘well-adapted’ to different conditions.

It is unclear how domestic mosquitoes were originally infected with the virus, and the spread of cases means it is no longer an issue isolated to one small group of mosquitoes. 

The insects only travel a few hundred feet from where they hatch, meaning separate incidents are likely the cause between outbreaks that are hundreds of miles apart in mainland France.

Chikungunya is not spread by human contact, and tiger mosquitoes are the only vector of the disease, although in rare cases it can be passed from a mother to child during pregnancy.

New domestic cases must be reported so that authorities can attempt to wipe out local tiger mosquito populations that may be carrying the disease.

Health authorities will look to eliminate local populations of the insect, but also ask residents to join in efforts by limiting the number of places mosquitoes can lay their larvae. 

Property owners should look to remove pools of stagnant water, or regularly clean areas where stagnant water can accumulate (gutters, under plant pots, pools, etc). 

Traps can be purchased – and in some cases are handed out by local authorities looking to limit the number of tiger mosquitoes – or can even be made at home for a few euros.