IRISH holidaymakers heading to a European sunshine spot this summer have been warned over new cases of a deadly “mosquito” virus.
Health chiefs in France have reported 583 imported cases of chikungunya – a mosquito-borne disease that causes acute fever and joint pain, and there’s no cure, but it can be fatal.
The tiger mosquito arrived in southern Europe in the first decade of this century[/caption]
It can cause fever and severe joint pain, as well as muscle pain, headache, nausea, fatigue and rash[/caption]
There are 583 cases reported in France as of June 18, 2025[/caption]
According to recent data published by Santé Publique France, international travellers are returning to mainland France infected with various mosquito-transmitted diseases.
As of June 18, 2025, France reported 583 cases of chikungunya over the past six weeks.
And another two unrelated indigenous local cases of chikungunya have also been identified in 2025.
Chikungunya is a viral infection caused by the chikungunya virus.
The virus is transmitted from human to human by the bites of infected female mosquitoes.
It can cause fever and severe joint pain, as well as muscle pain, headache, nausea, fatigue and rash.
Serious complications are not common, but in older people it can contribute to the cause of death.
The name of the disease means “to become contorted” in the African Kimakonde language, as it causes severe muscle and joint pain.
Most patients recover after a few days but in some cases, the joint pain may persist for weeks, months or even longer.
The tiger mosquito, also known as Aedes albopictus, arrived in southern Europe in the first decade of this century.
These are tropical and subtropical mosquitoes found in the warmer parts of the world, especially Asia, the United States and the Mediterranean Basin.
Known for the black and white stripes along its body and legs, it can transmit several tropical diseases, including chikungunya, dengue and zika.
CLIMATE CHANGE
Health experts say the bug has thrived on the continent in part because of climate change.
Warmer weather conditions have shortened the time it takes to develop, while winters are no longer cold enough to kill off the pests.
SIGNS TO WATCH OUT FOR
THE symptoms of chikungunya are similar to those of dengue and Zika, making chikungunya easy to misdiagnose.
Here are eight symptoms to watch out for:
- Fever
- Severe joint pain
- Joint swelling
- Muscle pain
- Headache
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Rash.
Chikungunya disease onset is typically 4–8 days (range 2–12 days) after the bite of an infected mosquito.
Most patients recover fully from the infection; however, occasional cases of eye, heart, and neurological complications have been reported.
Patients at extremes of the age spectrum are at higher risk for severe disease, including newborns infected during delivery to infected mothers or bitten by infected mosquitoes in the weeks after birth.
And older people with underlying medical conditions. Patients with severe disease require hospitalisation because of the risk of organ damage and death.
Health chiefs in France also identified 395 imported cases of dengue fever, and 2 imported cases of Zika.
Dengue fever can also cause severe muscle pain and joint pain in those infected.
About one in 10 of those infected will develop severe dengue, which can result in shock, internal bleeding, and even death.
They said that the Aedes albopictus mosquito has been established in southern France since 2004 and has been gradually spreading since then.
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) said that chikungunya is a notifiable disease in Ireland.
CHIKUNGUYA TREATMENT
They added that the treatment for chikungunya involves pain relief and anti-fever medication.
There is currently no vaccine against the Chikungunya virus.
And travellers to affected areas are advised to prevent mosquito bites.
HPSC said: “People who have visited an area affected by chikungunya, and who develop a high fever along with unexplained joint pain in the 12 days after their return are advised to seek medical attention.
“Travellers to affected areas are advised to prevent mosquito bites.
“Pregnant women, immunosuppressed people and people suffering from a severe chronic illness should consult their physicians prior to the travel in order to assess their risk and get recommendations on personal preventive measures.”
There is currently no vaccine against the chikungunya virus[/caption]
