“Stop Tiger Mosquito Outbreaks in France: Prevention Tips and Reporting Resources”

2023-05-15 01:30:41

Installed for many years in the overseas territories, the establishment of the tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) in mainland France is carefully monitored, especially during its period of activity from May to November. A vector of viruses such as dengue fever, chikungunya or the zika virus, this mosquito has been expanding its territory in mainland France since 2004.

71 colonized departments

During the 2022 season, we saw the installation of this mosquito in 4 additional departments of the metropolis: Allier, Ille-et-Vilaine, Loir-et-Cher and Haute-Loire. It is now 71 out of 96 departments that are colonized.

An increasing risk of arboviruses

The 2022 season was marked by several dengue outbreaks of an unprecedented scale in mainland France, with more than 60 indigenous cases identified. The risk of circulation of arboviruses increases, particularly in a context of climatic and environmental changes. Mosquito-borne diseases represent a health risk once morest which we must strengthen our response capacities.

Avoid proliferation

Simple actions to prevent the proliferation of the tiger mosquito (avoid stagnant water) and protect yourself from bites are described in the sheet ” Tiger Mosquito – We all have a role to play! from ANSES (National Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health Safety).

Individuals are invited to report the establishment of the tiger mosquito in their municipality on signalement-moustique.anses.fr.

To learn how to recognize it, you can consult the univadis article “The tiger mosquito, a discreet enemy”.

If returning from travel from areas where cases of chikungunya, dengue or zika have been reported, it is recommended to:

  • Consult a doctor in case of symptoms (joint pain, muscle pain, headache, rash with or without fever, conjunctivitis, etc.);
  • Avoid being bitten by a mosquito which might then infect another person (wear long, loose and light-coloured clothing, use skin repellents and mosquito nets).

Healthcare professionals should report any cases of dengue fever, chikungunya, Zika virus or West Nile virus to their Regional Health Agency (ARS). This allows management measures to be quickly implemented around cases in order to avoid the establishment of an autochthonous transmission cycle. An investigation is carried out for each human case identified in a department where the tiger mosquito is installed. If the mosquito is present around the patient’s home, insecticide treatments can be carried out by authorized mosquito control operators.

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