Tourists who plan holidays in France are warned of the risk of Chikungunya infection, a dangerous tropical virus that causes severe pain in the body and, in severe cases, organ damage. Eight local cases have been confirmed recently, in an unusual outbreak of early season, according to the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).
Tourists are urged to take protective measures during the holidays. Photo: x / @newsmedical
Climate change favors the multiplication of virus bearer mosquitoes, which are increasingly adapted to the climate in Europe. The health authorities in France and Belgium have issued alerts, asking the population and tourists to take protection measures against mosquito bites, reports the Daily Mail.
ECDC recommends the use of a spray against mosquitoes on exposed skin, wearing long -sleeved clothes and long pants, especially in the morning and evening, sleeping under mosquito nets or in rooms with air conditioning or protected with nets.
The French authorities also demand the emptying of containers with standing water, where the mosquitoes can be easily reproduced.
Extended danger from other tropical diseases
France is not the only country exposed. Europe registered in 2023 a doubling of local cases of dengue compared to the previous year – 304 cases compared to 130 in 2022. Dengue is known as a historical “The fever of the broken bones”, because of extreme joints of joints and bones it causes.
At the same time, the West Nile virus – also transmitted through mosquitoes – is increasing alarming. In 2023, 1,436 cases were reported in 19 European countries, almost double compared to the previous year.
The UK registered a record of dengue cases in 2024: 904 patients were diagnosed after being infected abroad. Although the diseases transmitted by mosquitoes do not spread directly from man to man, there is a danger that an infected traveler would be stung by a local mosquito, to carry on the infection.
Chikungunya vaccine, suspended for people over 65 in the UK
Recently, the British authorities have suspended the administration of a new anti-Chekungunya vaccine for the elderly, after two deaths and 21 severe reactions from immunization.
Health experts warn on “Slow march to the north” of tropical diseases, due to global warming, and require a proactive and preventive approach to limit future outbreaks.
Tourists are urged to take protective measures during the holidays in the affected areas, to prevent infection and spread of these dangerous viruses.
