Recent Arrival of 15 Chikungunya Cases Reported in Southwest Regions - Fifteen newly reported cases of Chikungunya infection in the southwestern region
The Chikungunya virus, a tropical disease typically found in Africa, Asia, and the Americas, has made its way to Europe, with 15 reported cases in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, as of 2025. This significant increase from the previous year has health authorities on high alert.
The first human case of Chikungunya virus infection has been reported locally in Alsace, France, and similar cases in the southwest cannot be ruled out. The spread of the virus to Baden-Württemberg is primarily linked to imported cases, with travelers returning from Mauritius and La Réunion at a higher risk.
The Chikungunya virus is transmitted by the Asiatic tiger mosquito, a species capable of transmitting tropical diseases to humans. The mosquito can only spread the virus if it has previously bitten an infected person, such as a traveler returning from abroad.
To mitigate the risk of local transmission, travelers are advised to take precautions such as using insect repellents and wearing protective clothing upon their return. The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) is the organization responsible for the assumption that the virus in the Alsatian case was transmitted by an infected Asian tiger mosquito.
The current high numbers of Chikungunya virus infections in Mauritius and La Réunion could contribute to the increasing likelihood of transmission in Baden-Württemberg. Last year, there were only three imported cases of Chikungunya virus in Baden-Württemberg.
The Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Health has expressed concern over the increase in Chikungunya virus cases, particularly in light of the spread of the Asiatic tiger mosquito in the region. The rise in imported cases may be a cause for concern, as it indicates the potential for local transmission.
It is important for travelers to be aware of the risks associated with travel to affected areas and to take necessary precautions to protect themselves and others upon their return. By doing so, we can help prevent the further spread of the Chikungunya virus in Europe.
- The Community policy should include higher surveillance and awareness campaigns to inform people about the risks associated with traveling to Chikungunya virus-affected areas, promoting health-and-wellness practices such as the use of insect repellents and protective clothing.
- Given the increase in Chikungunya virus cases in Baden-Württemberg due to medical-conditions imported from Mauritius and La Réunion, vocational training programs for medical professionals could be beneficial in improving diagnosis and treatment of the disease.
- To further combat the spread of Chikungunya virus in Europe, it might be worthwhile to consider lifestyle changes that reduce exposure to the mosquito species responsible for transmitting the virus, such as promoting urban planning practices that limit mosquito breeding sites or implementing travel policies that discourage non-essential travel to tropical regions.
