When we think of Tahiti, we imagine the ocean, the white sand beaches, the fruit cocktails… We will now have to deal with mosquitoes. This Thursday, April 11, 2019, the presidency of French Polynesia declared a dengue epidemic on this island which has approximately 207,000 inhabitants.
According to the Institut Pasteur, dengue fever (also called “tropical flu”) is a viral disease transmitted to humans by mosquitoes: it is characterized by high fever, headaches, nausea, vomiting, joint and muscle pain and a rash that looks like measles.
Against dengue fever, no vaccine
Healing occurs spontaneously within 2 to 3 weeks. There is currently no treatment or vaccine against dengue fever: it mainly occurs in tropical areas (Southeast Asia, Indian Ocean, Latin America, etc.) and is beginning to appear in temperate areas ( North America, Europe, France…).
The arbovirus currently present in Tahiti was probably imported by a patient from New Caledonia – this island is currently affected by an epidemic.
The health authorities recalled the preventive measures: destroying the “larval breeding sites” around his home and his workplace every week (stagnant water in a flowerpot, a few centiliters in a glass on a terrace.. .) and protect yourself against mosquito bites (using repellents and/or mosquito nets).
“People under the age of 20 or who arrived in French Polynesia after 2000 are most at risk of being infected,” said the government, relayed by Tahiti-info.
Read also :
6739 cases of dengue fever confirmed in Reunion
Dengue fever: a successful test in Australia
Global warming: should we fear a return of dengue fever?
