We have identified you may not be viewing TRAVAX optimally because the browser you are using is unsupported - click here.

placeholder="Enter search term...">
Suitcase

Chikungunya in Southern France (Update 2)

27 September 2017

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) Link reports that France has recorded a total of 11 cases of chikungunya in two parts of the Var department in Provence.

In the area of Cannet-des-Maures, 9 cases have been reported up to 21 September 2017. Of these, 8 are in Cannet-des-Maures itself and 1 is in the neighbouring commune of Brignoles. A new cluster of 2 cases in Taradeau commune (about 13 km) from Cannet-des-Maures was reported on 20 September 2017. It is likely that these clusters are linked to each other.

Advice for Travellers

No vaccine is available against Chikungunya. Mosquito bite avoidance is the only method of reducing the risk of infection.

All travellers to endemic regions should be aware of the risk of CHIKV infection and be advised to practise strict bite avoidance measures, see Mosquito Bites Avoidance.

Aedes mosquitoes are particularly persistent and aggressive and bite primarily during the day.

Methods of bite avoidance include:

  • Wearing long, loose, lightly coloured clothing to cover up the skin during the day.
  • The use of insect repellant containing DEET applied to any exposed skin.
  • When sunscreen and DEET are used together, DEET should be applied after sunscreen. The effectiveness of repellant reduces more rapidly than sunscreen, therefore, repellent may have to be reapplied on top of sunscreen.
  • The use of permethrin-impregnated mosquito nets protects against early morning bites and should also be used when sleeping during the day.
  • The use of air conditioning if available and/or mesh screening of windows and doors.
  • Eradication of mosquito breeding sites around accommodation/home (e.g. open containers, old tyres or flower pots that may collect water)

For further information see Chikungunya.