Since the beginning of the year, mainland France has recorded 2,166 imported cases of dengue fever, a tropical disease transmitted by tiger mosquitoes.
- 2,166 imported cases of dengue fever, 82% of which were contracted in Martinique or Guadeloupe and 5% in Guyana between January 1 and April 30.
- In May, 337 imported cases of dengue fever were recorded, including 293 in departments where the establishment of the tiger mosquito has been documented.
- During the 15 days following your return from areas where cases of dengue have been reported, it is recommended to exercise vigilance.
While the resurgence of dengue cases in France is causing great concern among health professionals, the latest report from Public Health France shows that the disease is still very present in the country.
Dengue fever: 337 cases imported into mainland France
According to the latest dengue surveillance data released by Public Health France As of May 29, 2024, 2,166 imported cases of the infection were recorded in France between January 1 and April 30. The health organization specifies that 82% of patients affected by “tropical flu” came from Martinique or Guadeloupe where the virus has been circulating for several months and 5% from Guyana.
For comparison, over the past 5 years, the average number of imported cases of dengue reported by mandatory declaration was 128 over the same period. The number of cases has thus increased almost 17-fold this year.
In addition, 337 imported cases of dengue fever were recorded in mainland France between 1 and 28 May. 293 of these patients reside in a department in mainland France where the establishment of the tiger mosquito has been documented. 67% of infected people had stayed in Guadeloupe and Martinique.
Dengue: recommendations after a stay in an affected area
The first steps to follow to protect yourself from dengue fever when staying in an area where the disease is prevalent is to avoid bites from tiger mosquitoes, which carry the infection. To do this, it is recommended to:
- wear loose, covering clothing;
- use skin-based mosquito repellents;
- use fans;
- sleep under a mosquito net;
- connect electric diffusers;
- use coils outdoors.
In addition, after landing in France, you must be vigilant for 15 days, the incubation period of dengue viruses. It is advisable to consult a doctor in case of fever and warn him of the stay in an area affected by the epidemic. In addition, people coming from these regions must continue to protect themselves against bites to prevent a tiger mosquito from biting them and being contaminated, in turn, by the dengue virus. “He could then transmit the virus to other people, during an injection.”recalls Public Health France.
