Chikungunya: New vaccine recommended for travelers, here are the latest figures in France

As numerous cases of chikungunya are detected in France and other countries around the world, vaccination recommendations for travelers are evolving. Previously, travelers were not recommended to be vaccinated against chikungunya. However, in its 2025 recommendations for travelers , the High Council for Public Health has updated its recommendations regarding chikungunya.

A new vaccine authorized in Europe in February 2025 and then arriving in France in June, called Vimkunya, is now recommended for stays "in an area where an epidemic is known," "in the event of a prolonged stay," or "repeated stays in an area where active circulation of the virus" is observed, in 12-65 year-olds who have comorbidities. Vaccination is only "to be considered" for those over 65 and 12-65 year-olds who do not have comorbidities. It is not currently recommended for pregnant and breastfeeding women due to insufficient data.

Another vaccine, Ixchiq, was already available but is not recommended for travelers. It is only "to be considered" for 12-65 year olds who are not immunocompromised. However, it is contraindicated for those over 65 following serious adverse effects - including 3 deaths - during the vaccination campaign implemented in Réunion at the beginning of April, according to the French National Agency for the Safety of Medicines .

What is the situation in France?

These recommendations are evolving as the number of cases in France increases alarmingly. Since the beginning of 2025, more than 1,600 cases of chikungunya have been detected in mainland France, including 712 between May 1 and July 1 alone, according to the latest report from Public Health France . The three most affected regions are: Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Ile-de-France, and Nouvelle-Aquitaine. In the previous two years, only about thirty cases had been reported, including 0 or 1 indigenous case (contracted on the territory). But since the beginning of the year, 15 indigenous cases have already been reported. "Such an early start to the mosquito's activity season and such a high number of episodes have never been observed until now," according to Public Health France.

No region is spared. The Nouvelle-Aquitaine Regional Health Agency announced on July 2 that a case had been detected in the region. The ARS specified that it was a child but that the "news is reassuring" regarding his state of health. Earlier in the week, another indigenous case was reported "for the first time" in the Grand Est region, according to Public Health France and the Regional Health Agency (ARS) . The ARS notes that the case "frequented neighborhoods in the municipalities of Lipsheim and Fegersheim (Alsace) during his viremic period," during which the virus can be transmitted to a tiger mosquito, which can then infect another person.

Where have previous indigenous cases been detected this year?

All other indigenous cases were detected in five regions: Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur, Corsica, Occitanie, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. More specifically, the cases were detected (in chronological order):

• in Hérault in Prades-le-Lez,
• in the Var at La Crau (2 cases),
• in Bouches-du-Rhône in Salon de Provence (5 cases),
• in Southern Corsica in Grosseto-Prugna (3 cases),
• in the Drôme in Montoison,
• in the Gard in Bernis,
• in the Bas-Rhin in Lipshein,
• in Illats, in New Aquitaine.

The two cases detected in Corsica on the weekend of June 20 were announced by the Corsican Regional Health Agency on June 25. They concern two people from the same family living in the commune of Grossetto-Prugna. "The evolution of their health is not considered worrying," reassures the ARS. It also specifies that "vector control actions were immediately launched" in the places "frequented by the sick people."

The second indigenous case of chikungunya of the year in mainland France was detected in mid-June in Hérault, in the commune of Prades-le-Lez. Fortunately, "the state of health of the sick person does not give rise to concern," according to a press release from the Occitanie Regional Health Agency (ARS) published on June 16, 2025. The Agency asked "people who have been to the commune of Prades-le-Lez and who have shown signs suggestive of chikungunya since the beginning of May to consult their doctor." These symptoms can include various factors: fever, joint and muscle pain, nausea and vomiting, fatigue, eye pain, red spots on the skin, etc.

The first indigenous case in metropolitan France dates back to June 11, 2025 in the Var, according to the Regional Health Agency (ARS) of Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur.

What are the latest figures for the epidemic in Réunion and Mayotte?

The chikungunya epidemic is ending in Réunion, but it began in Mayotte. The territory entered the epidemic phase on May 27, 2025, according to Public Health France. The institute reports that "chikungunya circulation remains active with high intensity" in Mayotte. Nearly 1,000 cases have been detected so far, and no deaths have been reported.

In Réunion, a decline in epidemic indicators has been observed since the end of April. The epidemic is now "of low intensity," even though the virus is still circulating and "cases are still being confirmed," according to the latest report from Public Health France published on June 18. Nearly 54,000 cases have been reported on the island since the beginning of the year. The chikungunya epidemic has caused the deaths of a total of 27 people, who were "mainly" over 65 years old and had comorbidities.

How to protect yourself from chikungunya?

Aside from vaccination, as mentioned above, the only way to protect yourself from the disease is to avoid mosquito bites by using repellents, mosquito nets, and wearing long, loose-fitting clothing. It is recommended that people living in, visiting, or returning from Reunion Island monitor themselves for symptoms.

Vulnerable people should be particularly vigilant, especially those suffering from chronic illnesses, but also pregnant women and immunocompromised people, and now those over 65, for whom vaccination is not recommended. The disease can indeed be serious in these people. There is currently no specific treatment for chikungunya. The only available treatments are symptomatic, notably paracetamol. A portion of the population is already immune to chikungunya following the last epidemic in 2005-2006, which affected approximately 260,000 people.