ALGIERS – The Ministry of Health has set up a system for monitoring and combating arboviruses transmitted by the tiger mosquito, indicates on Monday a press release from the ministry, specifying that the presence of this mosquito “does not automatically mean the presence diseases it can transmit”.
This device is active from May 1 to November 30, the ministry said, noting that “the presence of this mosquito, also called Aedes albopectus, does not mean the automatic presence of diseases that it can carry, especially since the dengue fever, chikungunya and zika are not present in Algeria and there is therefore no reason at this stage to speak of an alert”.
The system includes “measures allowing surveillance and measures aimed at preventing the appearance of autochthonous cases by the early detection of imported cases, the monitoring of the evolution of invasive mosquitoes, but also the implementation in a rapid and coordinated manner. personal protection measures”.
It also revolves around three axes, namely, “entomological surveillance aimed at detecting the presence of the tiger mosquito and monitoring it with a view to slowing down the progression of its geographical establishment and lowering the density of its population, surveillance epidemiology for early detection and prompt reporting of suspected imported cases and all laboratory-confirmed cases as well as vector control,” the statement added.
As for the mosquito control operation, it consists of social mobilization, in particular with the participation of citizens in the fight once morest the proliferation of this mosquito, by modifying and adopting simple gestures and by removing stagnant water. that promote mosquito breeding such as flower pot saucers, vases, gutters, tires and used utensils.
Added to this are the usual protective measures once morest mosquitoes when returning from a trip to a risk area, such as consultation
of a doctor in the event of suggestive signs, indicated the same source, underlining the reinforcement of the intersectoral collaboration by the application of the instruction relating to the reinforcement of the anti-vector fight.
In this sense, the ministry assured that it will continue to “closely follow” the evolution of the epidemic situation in the world, thus continuing to take other measures if necessary.
As a reminder, the tiger mosquito, which is native to the tropical forests of Southeast Asia, has gradually spread throughout the world over the past 30 years.
In Algeria, it was first discovered in 2010 and since then it has adapted to the human environment and lives in stagnant waters and in urban and semi-urban areas.
It is an insect that bites during the day, especially at dawn, dusk and often outside houses. It is very aggressive towards humans and remains active between May and November and can transmit viruses that cause diseases such as dengue, chikungunya or zika, the statement concludes.
