Corsica - Chikungunya 2025

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First indigenous cases of chikungunya identified in South Corsica

Press release
June 24, 2025

Two indigenous cases of chikungunya were detected this weekend in the commune of Grosseto-Prugna (Southern Corsica). These are the first indigenous cases confirmed in Corsica. Immediate measures were implemented to limit any risk of spread. Several other episodes of indigenous chikungunya have also been identified in southern France.

These two cases are from the same family residing in the municipality of Grossetto-Prugna, with no history of travel to tropical areas.

Their health status is not considered worrying.

Chikungunya is a disease that is transmitted from person to person through the bite of a previously infected tiger mosquito after being bitten by a sick person. Symptoms are most often a sudden onset of fever, accompanied by severe joint pain.

Namely

We speak of an indigenous case when a person contracted the disease on national territory and did not travel to a contaminated area in the 15 days preceding the onset of symptoms.

Reinforced prevention measures

In order to prevent any local spread of the virus, vector control measures were immediately launched at several sites identified as being at risk last Saturday, and which had been visited by people who had become ill in the 15 days preceding the onset of symptoms.

These measures are coordinated by the ARS Corsica, in close collaboration with Public Health France and the vector control service of the Corsican Community.

They translate as:

1. A clinical, biological and epidemiological investigation with identification of places of exposure and passage;
2. An entomological survey to identify the presence of mosquitoes;
3. Targeted mosquito control measures were implemented to eliminate mosquito breeding sites and adult mosquitoes in the areas where infected people live and pass through. Affected residents were informed in advance;
4. A door-to-door survey in the neighborhood, in order to document returns from recent trips to tropical areas or areas where chikungunya is circulating, to identify any other sick people and inform them of the course of action to take;
5. Information for healthcare professionals (hospitals, private doctors and medical analysis laboratories) to raise awareness of the diagnosis and treatment of people who may present symptoms of chikungunya.

Everyone, by changing their behavior, can protect themselves and their loved ones.

In Corsica, where the proportion of elderly people in the population is particularly high, it is crucial to remember that the symptoms of chikungunya can have significant consequences for the most vulnerable people, particularly seniors. To prevent the transmission of this virus, it is all the more essential to rigorously apply simple measures to combat mosquitoes:

1. Protect yourself from mosquito bites

It is advisable

1. Use a skin repellent, especially in the morning and at the end of the day;
2. To wear covering and loose clothing;
3. Using air conditioners or fans that disturb mosquitoes;
4. Use mosquito nets for newborns or bedridden people.

2. Consult your doctor immediately if you experience any suggestive symptoms : high fever, joint or muscle pain, fatigue, headache, skin rash.

3. Prevent the proliferation of mosquitoes: simple actions to avoid contamination

Eliminate stagnant water in which mosquitoes thrive by following simple and effective steps to be taken once a week:

1. Empty plant pots and anything that retains small amounts of water (garden furniture, tarpaulins, etc.);
2. Store anything that may contain water (children's toys, buckets, watering cans) away from the rain;
3. Close water reserves (barrels, cans) tightly or cover them with mosquito netting;
4. Ensure that the gutters drain properly;
5. Maintain green spaces that can become resting places for adult mosquitoes.

These measures are within everyone's reach and can make a real difference, especially in protecting the most vulnerable.

https://www.corse.ars.sante.fr/premiers-cas-autochtones-de-chikungunya-identifies-en-corse-du-sud

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Third indigenous case of chikungunya confirmed in South Corsica: vigilance remains essential

Press release
July 2, 2025

A third indigenous case of chikungunya has been confirmed in Southern Corsica, in Porticcio (municipality of Grosseto-Prugna). This new case, with no history of travel to tropical areas, reflects an episode of local transmission of the virus, via the tiger mosquito.

The date of onset of symptoms and the area where the infected person lived, close to the first two indigenous cases detected last week, suggest that this is the same episode of transmission.

To prevent a chain of transmission, the Regional Health Agency of Corsica, in conjunction with Public Health France and the vector control service of the Corsican Community, immediately stepped up its efforts to contain the spread of the virus. These actions are based on:

1. an epidemiological investigation,
2. a search for exhibition locations,
3. targeted mosquito control campaigns,
4. a door-to-door neighborhood survey
5. and information for health professionals.

This new case calls for vigilance and mobilization from everyone. It is also important to cooperate with the services to facilitate the work of the teams working in the area.

Simple and effective actions to limit the spread

The best weapon against chikungunya remains prevention. Everyone can take action by adopting simple steps to protect themselves and their loved ones.

In Corsica, where the proportion of elderly people in the population is particularly high, it is crucial to remember that the symptoms of chikungunya can have significant consequences for the most vulnerable people, particularly the elderly.

Increased vigilance is therefore essential.

...
https://www.corse.ars.sante.fr/troi...me-en-corse-du-sud-la-vigilance-reste-de-mise

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Translation Google

A 4th indigenous case of chikungunya has been confirmed in South Corsica

Press release
July 10, 2025

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The date of onset of symptoms and the area of ​​residence of the infected person, close to the first three cases detected last week, suggest a continuity of the previous episode through a proven local transmission chain.

As in previous cases, and in order to prevent any spread of the virus, vector control actions were immediately launched at several sites identified as being at risk.

These measures are coordinated by the ARS Corsica, in close collaboration with Public Health France and the vector control service of the Corsican Community.

They are based in particular on:

1. targeted mosquito control campaigns,
2. an epidemiological survey to identify high-risk locations,
3. an entomological survey,

As a reminder, the best weapon against chikungunya remains prevention. Everyone can take action by adopting simple measures to protect themselves and their loved ones.

1. Protect yourself from mosquito bites:
   Use a skin repellent, especially in the morning and at the end of the day;
2. Wear loose, covering clothing;
3. Use air conditioners or fans, which disturb mosquitoes;
4. Install mosquito nets, especially for infants and bedridden people.

Preventing the proliferation of mosquitoes: good weekly actions

Mosquitoes breed in small amounts of water:

1. Empty saucers , watering cans, toys, buckets, tarpaulins, etc.;
2. Protect from the rain anything that can retain water;
3. Cover water reserves (barrels, cans) tightly ;
4. Clean gutters and maintain green spaces.

From now on, if other cases are confirmed, they will no longer be the subject of a specific press release but will be included in the weekly epidemiological bulletin from Public Health France, published every Wednesday and can be found here .​

https://www.corse.ars.sante.fr/un-4e-cas-autochtone-de-chikungunya-ete-confirme-en-corse-du-sud

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Translation Google​
Corsica
Chikungunya: 11 indigenous cases reported in Porticcio, epidemic confirmed

Florence Walker
Published on Wednesday, August 6, 2025 at 5:00 AM

Arriving early and strong this year, the Chikungunya virus has spread its season and claimed 11 victims in Porticcio, in southern Corsica. An epidemic of indigenous cases is putting the CDC services responsible for mosquito control and the ARS, whose mission is to reduce the risk of infection, on edge.

The spread of the season also affects the tiger mosquito, which has been causing havoc in Corsica since the beginning of May , when three imported cases of chikungunya were confirmed.
As of July 29, a total of eleven indigenous cases of chikungunya—five new cases compared to the previous week—had been detected in the commune of Grosseto-Prugna, in South Corsica.

This disease is caused, let us recall, by an RNA virus of the same name, belonging to the alphavirus genus . Its mode of action is relatively poorly understood: it is thought that the virus mainly infects the muscles, joints, tissues where white blood cells circulate and in some cases the central nervous system.

The CDC and the ARS on the front line

Chikungunya disease is transmitted by the tiger mosquito, which, after biting an infected person, becomes infected and transmits the virus to its new victim. Although rarely fatal , it can cause significant pain and prolonged disability , greatly affecting the quality of life of those affected.

For some patients, it can even lead to hospitalization and serious joint complications.

" After an incubation period of 2 to 10 days, Chikungunya virus infection causes joint damage , which is often very disabling. This mainly affects the wrists, fingers, ankles, feet, knees and, more rarely, the hips or shoulders. In addition to this joint damage, there are often headaches accompanied by fever , significant muscle pain , a rash on the trunk and limbs, conjunctivitis , or inflammation of one or more cervical lymph nodes. Bleeding from the gums or nose has also been described ," specifies the Pasteur Institute .

" In some cases, severe neurological forms can occur, including meningoencephalitis and peripheral nerve damage. These are mainly found in the elderly or in people with weakened immune systems, as well as in newborns infected in utero at the same time as the mother ."

On a war footing, the Corsican Regional Health Agency and the Corsican Community are on the lookout for the slightest suspected case and immediately launch investigations, treatments, awareness campaigns and mosquito control.

" When a case is declared, we don't wait for the blood test confirming the contamination and we deploy a whole range of measures," explains Dr. Mathieu Méchain, in charge of reducing infectious risks at the ARS of Corsica.

The protocol includes a patient survey to determine the origin of the contamination - if the patient has traveled to a risk area, it is an imported case, otherwise it is a local case -, a census of all the places frequented by the contaminated person - the CDC mosquito control services look for larval sites - and door-to-door visits by the ARS in the area bordering the contamination.

The right actions

At the same time, the CDC services are carrying out two mosquito control operations in the area - in a 200-meter zone, since the nuisance perimeter of a tiger mosquito is estimated at 80 meters - to ensure that there is no proliferation.

The ARS reminds us of the essential barrier gestures:

For contaminated cases: protect yourself with repellents, wear long clothes impregnated with repellent, stay under a mosquito net or in air conditioning , as much as possible, to avoid another bite and proliferation.

For the population: protect yourself with repellents if you are in a risk area, regularly empty small tanks where water stagnates, cover them if it is not possible to empty them, and this all year round.

And at the first symptoms, it is advisable to immediately inform your doctor.

https://www.francebleu.fr/infos/san...clares-a-porticcio-epidemie-confirmee-5762680

 

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Translation Google​

A new indigenous case of chikungunya detected in Ghisonaccia

Press release
August 6, 2025

A new indigenous case of chikungunya detected in Ghisonaccia: two episodes of indigenous transmission have now been identified in Corsica

Situation report

14 indigenous cases of chikungunya have been detected in Corsica:

1. 13 cases detected in Grosseto-Prugna (Southern Corsica) (+2 compared to last week)
2. 1 case detected on August 5 in Ghisonaccia (Haute-Corse).

These detections confirm two distinct episodes of indigenous transmission in Corsica .

These episodes require everyone's mobilization to limit the risks of propagation.

Focus on the latest case in Ghisonaccia

A confirmed case of chikungunya has been identified in the commune of Ghisonaccia, with no evidence of travel to the traffic zone.
Symptoms began on July 31, 2025. The evolution of his health is not considered worrying.

The Aedes albopictus mosquito , vector of the virus, is present throughout the municipality.

In this context, a targeted mosquito control operation will take place from the morning of August 7.
...

https://www.corse.ars.sante.fr/un-nouveau-cas-autochtone-de-chikungunya-detecte-ghisonaccia



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