Chikungunya, dengue and Zika: the role of health professionals

Dengue, chikungunya and Zika are classically tropical diseases caused by arboviruses. They are regularly imported into French territory by travelers (imported cases), where they can be transmitted by the tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus). The period of activity of mosquitoes vectors of these diseases began on May 1 while a sharp increase in cases of dengue imported into the territory has been observed since 2023. In this context, Public Health France recalls the essential role of health professionals in the prevention and control of arboviruses. Indeed, informing patients, including travelers, about prevention measures, early diagnosis and reporting of these diseases makes it possible to reduce the risk of local transmission chains (indigenous cases). This is why Public Health France provides a practical guide for health professionals describing these elements and the main prevention messages to give to people suffering from dengue, chikungunya or Zika.

To download

Health professionals: a central role in the system

Health professionals have an important role at several levels in the arbovirus surveillance and control system, in particular through:

• the dissemination of individual prevention messages to their patients, in particular the right actions to avoid mosquito bites;
• the diagnosis and management of patients suffering from these infections;
• reporting cases to regional health agencies (ARS) which allows investigations to be initiated, guiding mosquito control measures.

In the event of an indigenous outbreak(s), the reports also allow the implementation of measures to secure products of human origin.

How to report these illnesses?

Chikungunya, dengue and Zika are notifiable diseases and must be reported all year round. The CERFA forms to complete can be downloaded from our website for dengue, chikungunya and Zika.

Between May and November, the tiger mosquito is particularly active over a large part of France and reinforced surveillance is put in place. During this period, early reporting of cases is essential to reduce the risk of indigenous transmission.

Report each case without delay to the regional monitoring and health emergencies platform of the ARS in your region.

What is the situation in mainland France?

The risk of indigenous transmission in mainland France is real and episodes are identified every year. Furthermore, an intensification of transmission has been detected in the last two years.

In 2024, this risk is all the more significant as the number of imported cases identified is unprecedented, largely linked to the ongoing dengue epidemic in the French West Indies.

Weekly situation updates are published on our website allowing us to follow the evolution of the number of cases.

Learn more