2023-09-25 04:22:01
Par Olivia Kouassi
Published on 25 Sep 23 at 6:22 See my news Follow Paris News The tiger mosquito, native to South-East Asia, has been present in France since 2004. (©Pixabay illustration)
Many of them describe scenes of invasion. Whether at Antony, Châtillon (Hauts-de-Seine) or even to Paristhe presence of tiger mosquito is increasingly important and dengue cases are increasing in the region. A mosquito control operation was also carried out in the 15th arrondissement on the night of September 15 to 16, 2023 following the detection of a case of dengue fever. The third operation of its kind in a few days in the territory.
Although the tiger mosquito has been present in France since 2004, the situation worries health authorities. These are in fact more than 60 cas d’infections so-called “indigenous” which were counted in 2022, a year deemed “exceptional” by Santé Publique France.
We speak of an indigenous case when the person infected with the virus was infected by a mosquito contaminated on French soil. The majority of dengue cases in France are imported. It is when returning from vacation in a region where the virus is actively circulating that an infected person who is bitten by a healthy mosquito can transmit the virus to him. The mosquito freshly contaminated with dengue fever can then, if it bites another person, transmit the virus to them: it is therefore an autochthonous case.
What are the symptoms dengue? Are there any treatments and vaccines? How to protect yourself from bites? Paris news spoke with Anna-Bella Failloux, medical entomologist and head of the Arbovirus and insect vectors unit at the Institut Pasteur, to answer these practical questions.
Actu : What are the symptoms of dengue?
Anna-Bella Failloux : You should know that more than 80% of the population infected with dengue does not show symptoms.
The main symptom of dengue is high fever. Added to this are severe headaches, vomiting, joint and muscle pain, but also skin rashes. In the most serious cases, this can lead to hemorrhages, nosebleeds or even bruising. In 1% of cases, the infected person may present a symptom of shock and will bleed out, which can be fatal.
How is the presence of the virus diagnosed?
Anna-Bella Failloux : The presence of the virus is detected through a blood test followed by a PCR test, but the disease can also be diagnosed by serology (detection of antibodies)
What treatments are available?
Anna-Bella Failloux : Dengue fever takes weeks to heal. During this time, the infected person is placed under observation and under a mosquito net to avoid contaminating other insects. There is no treatment for dengue fever, we only treat the symptoms with, for example, taking painkillers to reduce the fever. Severe fatigue may persist in people who have been infected.
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Is there a vaccine?
Anna-Bella Failloux : There is a vaccine that was developed by Sanofi. On the other hand, it is very restrictive, because it can only be used in people aged 9 to 45 who have already been infected once.
How to avoid being contaminated?
Anna-Bella Failloux : We are a bit up once morest the wall in terms of avoidance strategy. Insecticides are becoming less and less effective as mosquitoes develop resistance to the product. In addition, the insecticide kills everything in its path, including innocent insects. Then there are repellents that prevent you from being bitten, but not all of them are very effective.
The main thing to protect yourself from mosquitoes is to get rid of all stagnant water, this can range from blocked gutters to children hanging around in the garden. Installing mosquito nets on windows and fans helps limit intrusions into the home, but if you want to enjoy the outdoors, it is best to cover up as much as possible to avoid bites.
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