Arboviruses

Arboviruses (arthropod-borne viruses) are transmitted to humans and/or other vertebrates by certain types of blood-feeding arthropods (mosquitoes, ticks, sandflies and midges). They transmit the pathogen during their blood meal, after having bitten an infected person or animal. Dengue, Zika and chikungunya are some of these arboviruses.

Last updated on 04 July 2024

In brief

Arboviruses circulate mainly in tropical or subtropical regions. However, over the past few years, an increase in the description of indigenous cases has been reported in temperate regions, such as mainland France and other European countries. Arboviruses include approximately 500 viruses, about one hundred of which are pathogenic to humans. They belong to different genera, such as Flavivirus (yellow fever, dengue, Zika, Usutu, West Nile, tick-borne encephalitis, etc.) or Alphavirus (chikungunya). Some arboviruses cause viral haemorrhagic fevers (Rift Valley fever, Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever, etc.). Under the aegis of our agency, the multidisciplinary and multi-institutional group Arbo-France is tasked with scientific watch, surveillance and research in the field of human and animal arboviruses in mainland France and its overseas territories.