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Enhanced surveillance of chikungunya, dengue, and Zika virus in mainland France from May 1 to November 30

In mainland France, routine surveillance of chikungunya, dengue, and Zika virus infection throughout the year relies on mandatory reporting (MR) of biologically confirmed cases.The Aedes albopictus mosquito (“tiger mosquito”), a potential vector of chikungunya, dengue, and Zika virus infection, has been established in 33 metropolitan departments, including Saône-et-Loire, since 2015. In these departments, the blood-feeding activity of the female mosquito, which is most prevalent from May to November, enables local transmission from individuals previously infected during stays in areas where these diseases circulate.To minimize the risk of transmission in mainland France, a rapid reporting system for suspected imported cases is activated between May 1 and November 30 each year. Clinicians and medical laboratories in the 33 metropolitan departments affected this season, including Saône-et-Loire, must report any suspected case of one of these three diseases immediately using a reporting form. Immediate reporting, without waiting for laboratory confirmation, allows for the implementation of preventive measures or vector control efforts around the cases.For Saône-et-Loire, the only department in our region currently covered by the accelerated reporting system, the reporting form must be sent by email to ars-bfc-alerte@ars.sante.fr or by fax to 03 81 65 58 65.For the rest of the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region, biologically confirmed diagnoses of chikungunya, dengue, and Zika virus infection are subject to mandatory reporting (DO) and must be sent by email to ars-bfc-alerte@ars.sante.fr or by fax to 03 81 65 58 65.

A Look Back at 2016The year 2016 was marked by the inclusion of Zika virus infection in surveillance following outbreaks in various countries and territories in South and Central America (including French Guiana) and in the Caribbean islands (Martinique, Guadeloupe, Saint Martin, and Saint Barthélemy).In mainland France, from May 1 to November 30, 2016, this surveillance identified 1,311 suspected cases, of which 648 were confirmed (49%). Among the confirmed imported cases, the following were identified: 167 cases of dengue, 18 of chikungunya, 450 of Zika virus infection, 1 dengue/Zika co-infection, and 9 flavivirus cases (serological results did not allow for distinguishing between dengue and Zika). Three locally acquired cases of Zika virus infection, all through sexual transmission, were identified. No vector-borne transmission was identified in mainland France in 2016. In Saône-et-Loire, 1 case of dengue and 4 cases of Zika virus infection, all imported, were biologically confirmed in 2016, whereas no confirmed cases had been reported in 2015.