Presentation (CTI)

OBJECTIVES: Dengue, a mosquito-borne viral infection, is increasingly extending beyond its traditional tropical and subtropical regions. This study investigates recent trends in dengue cases reported in France, with particular attention to seasonality, travel-associated origins, and the epidemiological profile of affected individuals.
METHODS: Data were collected from scientific literature, the ECDC database, and national public health sources. Tourism statistics were obtained from reports published by the World Tourism Organization and national statistical offices. The analysis focused on the evolution of dengue cases in France, distinguishing between imported and locally transmitted infections. Additionally, infection rates per tourist were estimated to assess relative risk by travel destination.
RESULTS: A steady year-on-year increase in dengue cases was observed, reaching 4,766 cases in 2024—more than triple the number recorded in 2020 (1,362 cases), which had previously marked the national peak. In 2024, the majority of cases were imported from Martinique and Guadeloupe (3,260 cases, +198% vs. 2020), accounting for approximately 70% of total cases. Alongside the rise in imported cases, a modest increase in locally acquired infections was observed, with locally transmitted cases comprising an average of 2% of the total during the study period. However, there is no evidence to date of increased local transmission risk per imported case, suggesting that environmental or entomological conditions may still limit sustained local spread.
CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight the growing public health burden of dengue in France, primarily driven by travel to overseas territories where the virus is endemic. The strong correlation between tourism flows and infection rates underscores the importance of targeted public health messaging and preventive strategies. Continuous surveillance and climate-adaptive interventions will be critical to reducing the risk of local outbreaks.