GeoSentinel was alerted by European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control that they have just published information in the public CDTR about Chikungunya virus disease – French Guiana, France – 2026.
There is ongoing chikungunya virus circulation in French Guiana, with 621 cases reported since 1 January 2026 and as of 31 May. Seventy per cent of these cases were confirmed in the Littoral ouest sector. On 23 April, this sector was declared to be in the ‘epidemic’ phase of the outbreak. Savanes and Ile de Cayenne sectors are now in the ‘outbreak clusters’ phase. The current likelihood of chikungunya virus infection for travellers to French Guiana is assessed as low; the likelihood of onward transmission in mainland Europe following introduction by a viraemic traveller is considered low. Travellers should be advised to take enhanced mosquito bite prevention measures. Vaccination may be considered based on national recommendations.
Loïc Epelboin, the Site Director for Cayenne, French Guiana, kindly provided us with more detail as follows. “The situation is evolving rapidly. According to the latest Santé Publique France update, 723 laboratory-confirmed chikungunya cases have been reported since late January, with evidence of geographic expansion and sustained transmission, particularly in western French Guiana and the Savannas area, which has now entered the epidemic phase. To date, 127 hospitalizations have been recorded, including 10 severe cases, but no death has been attributed directly to chikungunya. Our personal impression is that the true number of infections is probably at least 3–4 times higher than the reported figures, as many patients are currently diagnosed clinically without laboratory confirmation.”
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GeoSentinel was alerted by European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control that they have just published information in the public CDTR about Chikungunya virus disease – French Guiana, France – 2026.
There is ongoing chikungunya virus circulation in French Guiana, with 621 cases reported since 1 January 2026 and as of 31 May. Seventy per cent of these cases were confirmed in the Littoral ouest sector. On 23 April, this sector was declared to be in the ‘epidemic’ phase of the outbreak. Savanes and Ile de Cayenne sectors are now in the ‘outbreak clusters’ phase. The current likelihood of chikungunya virus infection for travellers to French Guiana is assessed as low; the likelihood of onward transmission in mainland Europe following introduction by a viraemic traveller is considered low. Travellers should be advised to take enhanced mosquito bite prevention measures. Vaccination may be considered based on national recommendations.
Loïc Epelboin, the Site Director for Cayenne, French Guiana, kindly provided us with more detail as follows. “The situation is evolving rapidly. According to the latest Santé Publique France update, 723 laboratory-confirmed chikungunya cases have been reported since late January, with evidence of geographic expansion and sustained transmission, particularly in western French Guiana and the Savannas area, which has now entered the epidemic phase. To date, 127 hospitalizations have been recorded, including 10 severe cases, but no death has been attributed directly to chikungunya. Our personal impression is that the true number of infections is probably at least 3–4 times higher than the reported figures, as many patients are currently diagnosed clinically without laboratory confirmation.”