In metropolitan France, and despite mosquito control operations, cases of dengue fever are increasing. This week, a new patient returning from abroad was diagnosed. Should we be worried?
After the regions of Agen and Montauban last week, it is the turn of the town of Bergerac, in the Dordogne, to be the scene of a vast mosquito control operation.
According to France Blue Dordogne, a new case of dengue has indeed been identified in the department. It is, the site specifies, an imported case: the patient had indeed just returned from abroad, where he contracted hemorrhagic fever.
To prevent any possible spread of the arbovirus causing dengue fever, a vast mosquito control operation took place on Friday July 26 from 5 a.m. in several districts in the north of the Dordogne: La Moulette, Boulevard Chanzy , Waldeck Rousseau and Ernest Renan to the far west, east and north of the city.
Objective of such an operation: to remove all tiger mosquitoes from these areas, which can play the role of dengue fever transmission vector.
What is the risk of dengue transmission?
If the authorities deem it necessary to undertake extensive mosquito control in the area, it is to prevent the appearance of autochthonous cases of dengue fever. It is indeed possible that the patient was bitten by tiger mosquitoes after his return to Bergerac and that the latter then infected other people.
The risk is all the greater as the tiger mosquito, vector of dengue fever, chikungunya and zika, is now present in 70% of metropolitan territory, i.e. 51 departments. “Once installed in a municipality or a department, it is practically impossible to get rid of it”, observe the authorities, quoted by France News.
For now, the number of autochthonous cases of dengue fever remains fortunately limited. Since 2010, 12 episodes of autochthonous transmission have been identified, including 9 dengue fever, resulting in the contamination of 23 patients.
This does not prevent adopting the right actions to limit the proliferation of tiger mosquitoes. “Everyone, by modifying their behavior and adopting simple and non-binding gestures, can participate in the fight against the proliferation of tiger mosquitoes and help prevent the introduction of dengue fever, chikungunya or zika in mainland France. In particular, it is very important to remove stagnant water, which allows the reproduction of the mosquito, around his home”, recalls the ministry of health. This applies, in particular, to all small water reservoirs such as flower pot cups, watering cans, or old tires. Indeed, the tiger mosquito can colonize them and use these small water points to lay its eggs. Also remember to empty your gutters if they are clogged.
In addition to the use of natural repellents, it is recommended to wear long, loose clothing in risk areas. Finally, you can report any site where tiger mosquitoes proliferate on the official portal www.signalement-moustique.fr.
