Cases Of Virus Transmission From Mosquitoes Rise In Europe, WHO Calls History Repeated

JAKARTA - The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed concern about its chikungu virus being transmitted through mosquitoes, which are now spreading in Europe. There have been 800 cases related to the virus in mainland France.

"Since May 1, there have been around 800 imported cases in mainland France," said WHO medical officer Diana Rojas Alvarez, quoted by Reuters, on Wednesday, July 23, 2025.

A total of 12 cases of local transmission have also been detected in several areas in South France, meaning individuals are infected by local mosquitoes without ever traveling to endemic areas. Not only that, one case was also reported in India last week.

WHO estimates that there will be about 5.6 billion people living in a country at risk of contracting the chikungu virus. This is said to be like seeing history repeat itself, so it must be prevented as soon as possible.

"It is estimated that 5.6 billion people live in areas in 119 countries that are at risk of contracting the virus, which can cause high fever, joint pain, and long-term defects," he said.

"This is what we see history happening again," he added.

For information, two decades ago the virus had hit the world. Its chikungu epidemic from 2004 to 2005 had infected nearly half a million people, especially those in small archipelago, before eventually spreading around the world.

In 2025, the spike in the virus began early in the year with major outbreaks occurring in the Indian Ocean Islands, which were previously also affected. The virus is also now spreading to countries such as Madagascar, Somalia, and Kenya, and has shown potential spread in Southeast Asia and India.

Meanwhile, the chikungun virus is a virus that is transmitted from the bite of aedes aegypti mosquitoes and albopictus aedes. People who contract this virus are characterized by high fever and severe joint pain.

Chikungu itself is a name derived from the Kimakonde language which means 'curvature up'. This name describes the posture of virus sufferers who will bend due to experiencing joint pain.