Are French Open 2025 Tennis Fans At-Risk Chikungunya and Dengue

As the second step of the tennis Grand Slams gets underway at the Roland-Garros 2025 in Paris, France, international travelers are once again concerned about the impact of mosquito-transmitted diseases, chikungunya, dengue, and Zika.

Earlier in 2025, pro tennis events were held in countries with disease outbreaks in South America, such as Argentina and Brazil.

As of May 24, 2025, chikungunya, dengue, and Zika cases have been recently confirmed in France.

For example, chikungunya has been detected in France's southern area and has become a red-alert, outbreak-status in the Departments of Mayotte and Reunion.

These chikungunya outbreaks continue in late May, even with vaccination campaigns underway.

Last year in mainland France, 4,683 imported cases of dengue fever, 34 imported cases of chikungunya, eight imported cases of Zika, and one dengue-chikungunya co-infection were reported.

Eleven indigenous (local) dengue transmission episodes were identified for 83 indigenous cases. These episodes occurred in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (n=7), Occitanie (n=3) and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (n=1) regions.

An indigenous case of chikungunya was reported for the first time in Île-de-France, one year after the first indigenous focus of dengue transmission (n = 3 cases) in the Paris region was identified.

While France's Ministry of Health recommends vaccinations to prevent chikungunya and dengue, Roland-Garros 2025's leaders have not alerted their patrons of these health risks.

The tournament's website 'Prepare Your Visit' section does not disclose any infectious disease or vaccination-related information focused on Paris, southern France, or elsewhere.

While the actual health risk to tennis fans, players, and tournament staff is related to the volume of virus-carrying mosquitoes in the Paris area, it is advisable to speak with a travel vaccine expert before joining thousands of tennis fans cheering on their favorite player on the red clay courts in 2025.