Alsace Chikungunya Outbreak: Virus Cases Close to the German Frontier - Chikungunya Virus Outbreak Near German Border in Alsace Region
In recent weeks, concerns over the Chikungunya virus have risen in Europe, with a confirmed case in Alsace, France, and a growing number of cases in Germany. The presence of tiger mosquitoes, known carriers of the virus, and high temperatures in both countries suggest that conditions for local transmission of the virus are possible.
The Asian tiger mosquito, responsible for spreading the Chikungunya virus, has been found in large parts of France, up to the German border. In Germany, tiger mosquitoes are common in Baden-Württemberg and the Rhine-Main region of Hesse and Rhineland-Palatinate, and occur sporadically in Bavaria, Thuringia, Berlin, and North Rhine-Westphalia.
The person in Alsace contracted the infection through the bite of an infected mosquito. In Germany, the Robert Koch Institute has registered 75 Chikungunya cases from April to June, all of which appear to be travel-related and primarily affect returnees from Mauritius, La Réunion, and Sri Lanka. Six other local Chikungunya cases have been discovered in France, most near the Mediterranean coast.
The Chikungunya virus causes Chikungunya fever, characterized by flu-like symptoms such as high fever, headache, and joint pain. Most infected individuals recover fully, often within a week. However, the virus can be dangerous for chronically ill individuals, pregnant women, and infants. Deaths from Chikungunya are extremely rare.
European health authorities are taking measures to combat the spread of the disease. Baden-Württemberg and the wider European Union follow public health guidance from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) to combat Aedes mosquito-borne diseases.
Current measures include continuous monitoring of tiger mosquito populations and viral infections, implementing mosquito control strategies, encouraging personal protection, and strengthening public health preparedness. Vaccination is also mentioned as a supplementary measure, though limited, with two vaccines against chikungunya available.
Authorities in Baden-Württemberg are implementing these measures to mitigate outbreaks, combining surveillance, prevention, and control actions tailored to local risk levels and epidemiological situations in the EU/EEA, including Baden-Württemberg. No specific local measures unique to Baden-Württemberg beyond these EU-aligned strategies were detailed in the available information.
The case in Alsace serves as a reminder for individuals to protect themselves from mosquito bites, using repellents, clothing coverage, and window screens. It also emphasizes the importance of travelers returning from affected areas to take precautions and seek medical attention if they develop flu-like symptoms.
[1] European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. (2025). Aedes mosquito-borne diseases, including chikungunya virus, transmitted by tiger mosquitoes (Aedes albopictus). Retrieved from https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/health-topics/vector-borne-diseases/aedes-mosquitoes/pages/aedes-mosquito-borne-diseases.html
- The European Community policy and health-and-wellness policy are working collaboratively, as demonstrated by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control's ongoing efforts to combat Aedes mosquito-borne diseases, including the Chikungunya virus, transmitted by tiger mosquitoes (Aedes albopictus).
- In the light of the Chikungunya virus outbreak, science plays a crucial role in monitoring medical-conditions such as Chikungunya fever, researching effective vaccines, and implementing employment policies to safeguard public health, such as mosquito control strategies and personal protection measures.
