“Chikungunya: A Rising Local Threat in France—Stay Protected Before You Travel!”

Over the past ten years, around 115 nations have documented outbreaks of Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), with many experiencing unprecedented levels in 2024.

For example, from 2013 to 2023, the Americas reported a total of 3.7 million instances of CHIKV.

In 2024, the Pan American Health Organization recorded a new peak with over 425,134 CHIKV cases and 236 related deaths.

Chikungunya cases in Europe have typically been connected to international tourists traveling to endemic regions.

Nevertheless, recent information from France suggests that an unfortunate shift is occurring.

Following its introduction in 2004, the Aedes albopictus mosquito (tiger mosquito) has dispersed throughout much of mainland France. In 2024, a locally acquired case of Chikungunya was documented for the first time in Ile de France.

Moreover, last year saw 25 travel-associated cases reported.

In 2024, the territory of La Réunion also documented 138 local CHIKV cases, primarily in Étang-Salé (70 occurrences) within the Sheunon ravine area.

As of January 7, 2025, ARS Reunion stated, ‘The pre-epidemic phase has been reached, and the region could transition into an epidemic situation as soon as next week.’

In December 2024, Gérard Cotellon, Director General of ARS La Réunion, together with Patrice Latron, the Prefect of La Réunion, opted to activate level 2B of the ORSEC protocol. This alert level signifies an “escalation of Indigenous viral circulation in preparation for a potential epidemic.”

The previous major epidemic of Chikungunya virus in La Réunion occurred in 2005–2006.

While CHIKV is primarily spread by Ae. aegypti mosquitoes, the outbreak in La Réunion was driven by Ae. albopictus, which served as the chief vector due to adaptations of the ECSA CHIKV genotype, notably the E1-A226V mutation, leading to a significant rise in infectivity.

Although the U.S. CDC has not yet prioritized the Chikungunya health threat in mainland France or La Réunion, it advises international travelers to schedule an appointment with a travel vaccine professional at least four to six weeks prior to traveling to France. This appointment allows for the evaluation of which vaccines are relevant for your journey abroad in 2025.

France has long been one of the globe’s most favored tourism hotspots, attracting around 100 million visitors. In 2023, La Réunion hosted nearly 500,000 guests.

When flying to France from the United States, Valneva SE’s IXCHIQ® Chikungunya vaccine is available through various travel clinics and pharmacies.

This vaccine, approved by the U.S. FDA, has been reported to be over 90% effective for a minimum duration of two years.