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Surveillance, threats and outbreaks of chikungunya

Chikungunya worldwide overview

Every month ECDC provides detailed epidemiological overview of the worldwide transmission of chikungunya in its weekly threat report (Communicable Diseases Threat Report).

Autochthonous transmission of chikungunya virus in mainland EU/EEA, 2007–present

Chikungunya is not endemic in the EU/EEA and the majority of the cases are travellers infected outside of the EU/EEA. When the environmental conditions are favourable, in areas where Ae. albopictus is established, viraemic travel-related cases may generate a local transmission of the virus as demonstrated by the sporadic events of chikungunya virus transmission since 2007.

Reports

The likelihood of introduction of the virus to continental EU countries through viraemic travellers returning from endemic subtropical and tropical countries is high.

Since 2007, both France and Italy reported autochthonous transmission of chikungunya virus.  The report of a cluster of autochthonous chikungunya cases in an area of Europe where Aedes albopictus is established is not unexpected during summer and autumn months when environmental conditions are favourable for increased mosquito abundance and activity.

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