Since May 1, 121 suspected cases of dengue or chikungunya have been reported to InVS. Among them, 47 imported cases of chikungunya are confirmed. The authorities fear an epidemic in metropolitan France.
Yesterday, during a press point, the Ministry of Health returned to the dangers that threaten us as summer approaches. Heatwaves, drownings, but especially the tiger mosquito are part of this list. For Dr Benoit Vallet, Director General of Health, the risk of transmission and dissemination of chikungunya is “much greater »This year, in the six metropolitan regions where the Aedes albopictus mosquito is installed: Rhône-Alpes, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, Corsica, Languedoc-Roussillon, Midi-Pyrénées and Aquitaine. Same story on the side of the Institute for Public Health Surveillance (InVS) through the voice of its scientific director Jean-Claude Désenclos, who told the Parisian “The probability that an epidemic (of chikungunya) breaks out in mainland France this summer is much greater than in previous years. “
47 imported cases of chikungunya in mainland France since May
Faced with these not very optimistic words, the figures unfortunately speak for themselves. From 1er May to June 6, 121 suspected cases of dengue or chikungunya were indeed reported to the InVS in the 18 metropolitan departments where the mosquito Aedes albopictus is implanted. Among them, the regional health agencies identify 15 imported cases of dengue which have been confirmed. And 47 imported cases of chikungunya also confirmed. There were no indigenous cases, also specifies the Institute. On May 22, the census reported 15 cases of chikungunya and 8 cases of dengue.
The French Antilles strongly affected
Finally, for the past six months, the French Antilles have also been experiencing a worrying situation. There, the virus affected 8% of the Martinican population (31,270 cases between December and May) and 7% of the inhabitants of Guadeloupe (28,320 cases) for this year alone.
As a reminder, chikungunya is characterized by high fevers, and significant joint pain, stiffness. If you experience these symptoms, there are two imperatives to respect: “take paracetamol (but no anti-inflammatory type aspirin) and immediately consult a doctor”, recently informed the regional daily. The Independent Dr Julian Cornaglia, from the infectious and tropical diseases department at Perpignan hospital.
Department and year of implantation of the Aedes albopictus vector in metropolitan France (Source: InVs)
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