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. 2020 Jun;26(6):1067-1076.
doi: 10.3201/eid2606.190490.

Risks Related to Chikungunya Infections among European Union Travelers, 2012-2018

Céline M Gossner, Nelly Fournet, Joana Gomes Dias, Beatriz Fernández Martínez, Martina Del Manso, Johanna J Young, Hervé Zeller, Denis Coulombier

Risks Related to Chikungunya Infections among European Union Travelers, 2012-2018

Céline M Gossner et al. Emerg Infect Dis. 2020 Jun.

Abstract

Autochthonous outbreaks of chikungunya have occurred in the European Union (EU) after virus introduction by infected travelers. We reviewed the surveillance data of travel-related cases reported in the EU during 2012-2018 to document factors associated with increased infection rates among travelers and to assess how surveillance data could support preparedness against secondary transmission and timely control of outbreaks. Thirteen EU countries reported 2,616 travel-related chikungunya cases. We observed 3 successive epidemiologic periods; the highest number of cases (75%) occurred during 2014-2015, when most cases were associated with the Caribbean and South America. The highest infection rates among travelers were observed during the same phase. Although surveillance of travel-related cases is relevant for estimating the infection risk for travelers, we could not identify a relationship between the number of infected travelers and a higher likelihood of secondary transmission in the EU.

Keywords: European Union; chikungunya; chikungunya virus; data review; mosquitoes; outbreak; risks; surveillance; travel; travelers; vector-borne infections; viruses; zoonoses.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Risks related to chikungunya infections among EU travelers, 2012–2018. Countries with infection and reporting countries are indicated. Map produced on January 8, 2020. Administrative boundaries were obtained from EuroGeographics and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. EU, European Union.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Number of travel-related chikungunya cases during 2012–2018, by region of infection and year.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Rates of chikungunya infections among European travelers by country, region of infection, and epidemiologic period, 2012–2018. Shown are the 30 countries with the highest rates of infection for each period. A) 2012–2013; B) 2014–2015; C) 2016–2018.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Rates of chikungunya infections among European Union travelers by region of infection and year, 2012–2018.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Rates of chikungunya infections among European Union travelers returning from countries of infection, by reporting country and epidemiologic periods, 2012–2018. Only countries reporting the highest number of cases were included.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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