Key Points

Vector-borne diseases: On October 20, 2014, the National Reference Center for Arboviruses confirmed four locally transmitted cases of chikungunya in Montpellier, among residents of the Las Sorbes neighborhood. Field epidemiological investigations and information gathered from doctors in Montpellier led to the confirmation of three additional cases, all of whom had stayed in or lived in the Las Sorbes neighborhood. Most of these individuals developed symptoms several weeks ago and have since recovered.

No other clusters of locally acquired cases have been identified in Montpellier or in the Hérault department.

Due to the upgrade to Level 3 of the chikungunya containment plan in the Hérault department, epidemiological surveillance measures have been strengthened. In addition, several mosquito control operations have been carried out throughout the residential area of the affected individuals.

Particular vigilance remains essential in the coming weeks regarding any suspected case of chikungunya virus infection in individuals who have not traveled and reside in Montpellier, presenting suggestive symptoms (sudden onset of fever > 38.5°C and debilitating joint pain without any other apparent source of infection).

A specific reporting system for suspected imported AND locally acquired cases of chikungunya has been established in the department: please report any suspected case of chikungunya, even without a history of travel, in a person residing in the Hérault department using the dedicated form (click here).

As of October 31, 2014, 214 suspected cases had been reported. Of these, 74 were confirmed as chikungunya and 22 as dengue; these cases contracted the disease while traveling in an endemic area (imported cases). To date, apart from the Montpellier outbreak, no indigenous cases of chikungunya or dengue have been identified elsewhere in the Languedoc-Roussillon region.