Twelve chikungunya transmission hotspots have now been identified in mainland France, with around thirty cases in total, Public Health France announced on Wednesday, warning that this upward trend is likely to continue. "The number of transmission hotspots illustrates the significant risk of indigenous transmission of these viruses in mainland France," warns the public health agency in a weekly report. "Other cases will likely be identified, including outside the usual transmission areas."
So far, twelve outbreaks of chikungunya, the virus transmitted through tiger mosquito bites and causing high fever and muscle pain, have been reported, for a total of thirty cases.
"In Salon-de-Provence, 13 cases have been identified"
"In Salon-de-Provence, 13 cases have been identified, including two cases residing in the neighboring communes of Grans and Lambesc.", reports Public Health France in particular. "This is the largest outbreak at this stage."
Read alsoChikungunya epidemic: 40% of patients develop a chronic form of the disease
An exceptionally high level so early in the summer
This level, exceptionally high in mainland France so early in the summer, is explained in particular by an overseas epidemic that has hit Réunion and Mayotte in recent months. Since spring, health authorities have recorded several hundred cases arriving in mainland France from Réunion. In addition, there is an indigenous case of dengue fever, reported in early July in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. This is the only one in mainland France so far, as this disease is also transmitted by the tiger mosquito.
The risk of epidemic transmission of these viruses in mainland France is also increased by high temperatures: high temperatures contribute to the circulation of the tiger mosquito, a phenomenon accentuated by global warming.
English 
French