While the number of people infected with the Zika virus is increasing in metropolitan France, the lull is emerging in Martinique, Guadeloupe and Guyana.
Zika’s arrival in France continues slowly, but surely. As of June 23, infection with this virus has been confirmed in 535 people returning from regions affected by the epidemic, including 11 pregnant women and 3 cases of neurological complications. The last epidemiological point adds that 6 cases of sexual transmission have also been reported.
For the vast majority, the metropolitan patients were infected by a mosquito during a trip to the French departments of America affected by the epidemic since December 2015. And if initially, the outbreak worried the authorities, it would seem that the circulation of the virus is “stalling” in the Antilles and Guyana.
More than 46,000 cases in the West Indies
In Martinique, after a decrease in the number of cases for 5 weeks, the epidemic is stabilizing, according to the latest point of the Institute for Public Health Surveillance (InVS). Since December 2015, 31,000 Martinicans have been infected, including 363 pregnant women as well as 23 cases of Guillain-Barré syndrome and 3 other neurological forms. In addition, 2 microcephaly and 4 fetal neurological malformations were detected.
On the side of Guadeloupe, a lull also seems to be emerging. During the 3e the week of June, around 2,270 people consulted a city doctor for symptoms suggestive of Zika (skin rash with or without fever, joint pain, conjunctivitis, etc.) compared to 2,750 the previous week. In total, 15,220 Guadeloupe residents have been infected since December 2015, including 128 pregnant women, 7 cases of Guillain-Barré syndrome (6 cases are still under investigation) and 5 other forms of neurological complications. No case of microcephaly or congenital malformation has yet been reported.
First case of microcephaly in Guyana
In contrast, Guyana spotted its first case of microcephaly when 642 pregnant women were diagnosed. Since the virus emerged, 5 people have developed Guillain-Barré syndrome or another neurological form. In this department located on the American continent, 8,070 people have been infected.
Finally, the paradisiacal islands of Saint Barthélémy and Saint Martin are also victims of this Zika epidemic. First arriving in Saint Martin, Zika infected 985 people including 9 pregnant women, before spreading to Saint Barthélémy and infecting 103 islanders.
There is no vaccine or treatment to protect against the Zika virus. Attacking mosquitoes is therefore the only effective solution to stem the epidemic. The French authorities recommend that pregnant women living in risk areas postpone their pregnancy plan. For those who wish to travel to these regions, postponing the trip is strongly recommended.
If this is not possible, travelers are advised to wear long clothing and use mosquito repellent. Measures that must continue to be taken in the weeks following the return to mainland France because the risk of transmission of the virus by the tiger mosquito is real.
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