Each year, cases of imported dengue or chikungunya are reported in the south of France. They trigger mosquito control operations against the Tiger mosquito. But this insect, which is the natural vector of these viruses (and Zika), is also present in Ile-de-France and in the Grand-Est.
Recently, a second case of imported dengue was reported in the suburbs of Toulouse, in a patient returning from a trip to an endemic area. Likewise, in the Tarn, a Chikungunya infection was diagnosed.
Each time, mosquito control operations are programmed. They target the Tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus), which is the natural vector of dengue, chikungunya and zika. Faced with the risk of contamination of the mosquito in the event of a bite from the infected patient, mosquito control operations are scheduled to prevent the virus from being transmitted to other people.
The Tiger mosquito is almost in Paris
But, with global warming, it can happen elsewhere: appeared in France in 2004, in the Alpes-Maritimes, the Tiger mosquito has gradually 40 departments: it is now present in Ile-de-France and in the Grand-Est.
Since November 20, 2015, in fact, the Val-de-Marne (94) is classified at level 1 of the national plan to combat diseases transmitted by the tiger mosquito. This means that active tiger mosquitoes are implanted and active there. Since November 25, 2017, Hauts-de-Seine (92) has also upgraded to level 1 of the plan, joining 38 other metropolitan departments including those of the Grand-Est.
Majority of cases imported so far
Dengue fever is on the rise this year in the Pacific region and in Asia. Some people who travel to these countries can contract the infection and bring it back to France.
The tiger mosquito, which now proliferates in nearly half of French departments, can infect itself by biting a sick person who carries the virus in their blood, and can transmit dengue to other people in the vicinity. It can be the same with chikungunya and zika.
Mosquito control against transmission
The Tiger mosquito remaining where it was born and hardly moving around, it would suffice to do mosquito control over 150 meters around the patient’s home to prevent the spread of the infection. Mosquito control operations are therefore organized over a large area around the patient’s home.
In theory, this is effective, but you should know that not all infections with the dengue virus cause symptoms and it is therefore possible that the virus is still transmitted.
A city mosquito
The tiger mosquito is predominantly urban. He clearly prefers the company of men.
But once installed in a city, it is practically impossible to get rid of it: the departments in which the tiger mosquito is implanted and active, that is to say permanently installed and multiplying, are classified at level 1 of the plan. national anti-dissemination of chikungunya, dengue and Zika. To date, no department classified at level 1 has gone down to level 0.
A mosquito of day and night
No case of virus transmission by this mosquito has been observed in the Ile-de-France region for the moment but, to avoid these new viral infections in France, it is necessary to protect yourself from the Tiger mosquito from the beginning of May to the end of November, which is the period of circulation of the virus.
But, with this mosquito, it is not enough to protect yourself in the evening: unlike most mosquitoes which bite only in the evening and at night, the Tiger mosquito, just like other Aedes mosquitoes, bites during the day. It is particularly active in the early morning and late afternoon.
A striped and pointed mosquito
The Tiger mosquito is recognizable by its pointed abdomen, stripes … and its aggressiveness. The entire population can participate in monitoring this species in order to better understand its distribution. It is a citizen action thus making it possible to complement the actions put in place.
To be able to report the presence of a tiger mosquito to the health authorities, you must have a photo of a tiger mosquito or a mosquito in a state allowing its identification and report on the Tiger mosquito reporting portal.
The tiger mosquito is active in Ile-de-France
How to protect yourself and report it ?????
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via @ARS_IDF#prevention #health #mosquito # bite #sickness #dengue #Zika pic.twitter.com/qGhJvAMmKg– Practical Health Paris (@SanteParis) August 23, 2018
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