In the summer of 2023, there would be a very significant risk of a dengue fever epidemic in mainland France because of the tiger mosquito against which, according to experts, we must fight now.
- We must fight now against the tiger mosquito by eliminating stagnant water where the larvae develop.
- The tiger mosquito can transmit twenty-six different types of virus, including Dengue fever.
- The summer of 2023 presents a “significant health risk” in relation to dengue fever.
We are still in winter and yet now is the time to start fighting against the tiger mosquito. In any case, this is what experts think, who explain to the Parisian that the summer of 2023 presents a “significant health risk”.
The tiger mosquito at the origin of autochthonous cases of dengue fever
THE tiger mosquito can transmit twenty-six different types of virus, including dengue fever. Last summer, according to Public Health France, 65 indigenous cases have been identified in France due to this pest. We are talking about indigenous cases because the sick people had not traveled to areas where this virus was circulating. A figure on the rise compared to previous years: only 48 cases in France between 2010 and 2021.
“2022 is a pivotal year where we have taken another step in riskexplains Marie-Claire Paty, vector-borne disease surveillance coordinator at Public Health France, to Parisian. [Les moustiques-tigres] have a limited flight range, about 150 to 200 meters. They get into the cars and thus progress on the territory”. For the moment, they have been spotted in 70 departments, but they could soon invest all of France.
According Public health France, dengue fever is a viral disease transmitted by tiger mosquitoes when they bite. The symptoms are close to those of the flu, that is to say a high fever, joint pain or severe headaches. They usually last between two and seven days. In many cases, this disease remains mild, but in some people it can cause an acute, flu-like form with, sometimes, life-threatening complications. We are talking about severe dengue fever.
Remove stagnant water to fight against the tiger mosquito
Usually, dengue is not present in mainland France. The most affected areas in the world are the Americas, Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific. Thus, the experts believe that it is necessary to fight now against the mosquito-tiger to prevent an excessive proliferation this summer.
Like classic mosquitoes, in winter, this pest is not visible and its eggs have not yet hatched. So now is the time to deal with the places where they are. “We are already working on itsays Anna-Bella Failloux, entomologist at the Pasteur Institute, in Paris. If necessary, we must be able to respond to something larger than last summer.”
The most effective method – and one everyone can and should do – is to remove all standing water, as this is where tiger mosquito larvae thrive. “I am worried about the summer because in mainland France the population is not aware, they do not know this mosquito, continues Anna-Bella Failloux. Without creating psychosis, you will have to do a lot of prevention, like emptying your saucers, your gutters, never leaving stagnant water.”
The challenge is to delay the first cases of dengue as much as possible because “once the epidemic is gone, it is very complicated to stop it”, concludes Xavier de Lamballerie, researcher and director of the national reference center for arboviruses.
