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Sante Publique France recently reported a total of 115 locally acquired and 914 imported chikungunya fever cases this year.

As of August 12, 2025, cases have been reported from Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Corsica, Occitanie, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Grand Est, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, and Nouvelle-Aquitaine.

The health ministry wrote in a media release that 'the high number of transmission hotspots illustrates the significant risk of autochthonous (local) transmission of these viruses in mainland France.'

Furthermore, 'other cases will likely be identified, including outside the usual transmission zones,' in France.

While the majority of local chikungunya cases have been reported in southern France, other regions have confirmed cases in 2025.

As several European countries have.

Additionally, France's Departments of Reunion and Mayotte have reported significant chikungunya outbreaks this year.

In France, similar to the United States, chikungunya vaccines are approved and commercailly available at certified travel vaccine providers.

The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) recently confirmed the first three human cases of West Nile virus (WNV) this year. The Illinois Department of Public Health previously confirmed the first human case of WNV in the state on June 24, 2025.

The patients, whose symptoms began in late July or early August, reside on the Northwest and South sides.

WNV is the most common cause of mosquito-borne disease in Chicago.

CDPH has a robust mosquito control program, which includes treating over 80,000 catch basins in Chicago with larvicide to kill immature mosquitoes, collecting and testing mosquitoes for WNV, and spraying in specific geographic areas to kill adult mosquitoes if needed.

Licensed mosquito abatement technicians are dispensing an ultra-low-volume spray from trucks.

CDPH has sprayed insecticide in nine different community areas over the last several weeks and will be spraying to kill adult mosquitoes in seven communities in mid-August 2025 (Forest Glen, Norwood Park, Mount Greenwood, Beverly, East Garfield Park, Near West Side, and North Lawndale).

"We are seeing a higher proportion of mosquitoes testing positive for West Nile virus than usual this year," said CDPH Commissioner Olusimbo 'Simbo' Ige, MD, MPH, in a press release on August 12, 2025.

"The best way to protect yourself from West Nile virus is to avoid mosquito bites and take measures to stop them from breeding around your home."

CDPH says WNV is typically spread to humans via the bite of an infected mosquito and is not generally spread from person to person. While most people infected with WNV do not feel sick, about 1 in 5 people develop a fever and flu-like symptoms.

Severe illness can occur in about 1 in 150 people and is most likely in people over age 60. Because there are no specific medications to treat WNV in people, the most effective method to prevent infection is to avoid mosquito bites.

In Europe, six countries have recently reported WNV cases.

As of August 14, 2025, there are no approved WNV vaccines available in the United States.

The U.S. Department of State today updated its travel advisory for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to Level 3 status.

As of August 12, 2025, this U.S. government Reconsider Travel advisory also includes Level 4 status for various areas in North and South Kivu of this African country.

Additionally, the U.S. government cannot provide emergency consular services to U.S. citizens outside of Kinshasa due to poor infrastructure and security risks. Due to the risks, personnel have limited mobility, and minor dependents cannot accompany U.S. government employees who work in the DRC.

Suppose you decide to travel to the DRC in late 2025. In that case, the State Department recommends enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to receive digital alerts from the U.S Embassy and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.

Separately, the U.S. CDC has included the DRC in two recent Travel Health Advisories targeting polio and measles outbreaks.

The CDC suggests international travelers speak with a vaccine advisor regarding routine and additional immunization options (chikungunya, cholera, and yellow fever) at least one month before departure.

Various retailers in the United States offer travel vaccine services.

Valneva SE announced today that it continues co-developing VLA15, a Phase 3 vaccine candidate, the only Lyme disease program in late-stage clinical development.

VLA15 is a multivalent recombinant protein vaccine that targets six serotypes of Borrelia, representing the most common serotypes found in the United States and Europe.

On August 12, 2025, Valneva confirmed its development partner, Pfizer Inc., is currently executing the randomized, placebo-controlled Phase 3 field efficacy study. The participants will be monitored for the occurrence of Lyme disease cases until the end of the 2025 Lyme disease season in the U.S. (end of October), with topline data expected as soon as all Lyme disease cases are confirmed.

In a press release, Valneva wrote that Pfizer aims to submit a Biologics License Application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and a Marketing Authorization Application to the European Medicines Agency in 2026, subject to positive Phase 3 data.

Lyme disease is the most common tickborne disease in the United States and Europe.

Lyme disease remains an expanding health risk in the U.S. It is a bacterial illness transmitted to humans through the bite of infected ticks. These ticks become infected by feeding on animals that carry the bacteria in their blood.

Over 89,000 cases of Lyme disease were reported to the U.S. CDC by state health departments and the District of Columbia in 2023. Recent estimates using other methods suggest that approximately 476,000 people may be diagnosed and treated for Lyme disease each year in the U.S.

The incidence of Lyme disease in Europe is highest in the Scandinavian and Baltic states in northern Europe and Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, and Slovenia in central Europe.