Zika virus infections in three travellers returning from South America and the Caribbean respectively, to Montpellier, France, December 2015 to January 2016

Euro Surveill. 2016;21(6). doi: 10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2016.21.6.30131.

Abstract

We report three unrelated cases of Zika virus infection in patients returning from Martinique, Brazil and Colombia respectively, to Montpellier, France. They developed symptoms compatible with a mosquito-borne disease, and serological and molecular investigations indicated a recent Zika virus infection. Considering the recent warning for the likely teratogenicity of Zika virus and the presence of competent mosquito vectors in southern France, these cases highlight the need for awareness of physicians and laboratories in Europe.

Keywords: Caribbean; France; South America; Zika virus; imported viral disease.

MeSH terms

  • Aedes / virology
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood
  • Brazil
  • Caribbean Region
  • Colombia
  • Disease Outbreaks
  • Exanthema / virology
  • Female
  • Fever / etiology
  • Fever / virology
  • France
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood*
  • Immunoglobulin M / blood*
  • Insect Vectors / virology
  • Male
  • Martinique
  • Middle Aged
  • RNA, Viral / blood
  • RNA, Viral / genetics
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Travel*
  • Young Adult
  • Zika Virus / genetics
  • Zika Virus / immunology
  • Zika Virus / isolation & purification*
  • Zika Virus Infection / blood
  • Zika Virus Infection / diagnosis*
  • Zika Virus Infection / virology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Immunoglobulin M
  • RNA, Viral