“Tiger Mosquito Colonization: The Most Affected Municipalities in Occitania”

2023-05-04 09:27:00

If the insect particularly likes urban spaces, it has ended up colonizing rural areas. The list of the most affected municipalities.

About twenty years ago, the tiger mosquito was mainly present on the Mediterranean coast but, in 2023, it colonizes the thirteen departments of Occitania. The insect has been under increased surveillance since 1^is may constituent “a public health priority”recalls the director general of the Regional Health Agency (ARS), Didier Jaffre.

The tiger mosquito has the possibility of transmitting tropical diseases such as dengue fever, the Zika virus or chikungunya. In 2022, 56 imported cases were identified in the region and resulted in 5 outbreaks of indigenous dengue cases “in departments where we had never had to deal with indigenous cases before”especially the Hautes-Pyrénées.

If the insect particularly likes urban spaces, it has ended up colonizing rural areas. “A single mosquito can be the cause of an epidemic focus”, warns the ARS, even in Aveyron.

The conquests of the tiger mosquito since 2016

In 2022, at least 44% of the municipalities of Occitania were colonized by the tiger mosquito. In Aveyron, its establishment has been gradual. On the map below, the ARS lists the cities where the insect has settled permanently. Between 2016 and 2019, the main cities of Aveyron and the adjacent villages were the first affected: Millau, Paulhe, Saint-Beauzély, Comprégnac, Rodez, Villefranche-de-Rouergue, Decazeville, Aubin, Flagnac and Capdenac-Gare.

Cities colonized between 2016 and 2019 (in blue), between 2020 and 2021 (in yellow) and in 2022 (orange).
Reproduction C. P.

Between 2020-2021

A strong proliferation of the mosquito between 2020-2021 has extended its territory in the department: Belmont-sur-Rance, Saint-Sernin-sur-Rance, Saint-Affrique, Sévérac-d’Aveyron, Onet-le-Château, Naucelle, La Fouillade, Najac, Le Bas Ségala, Villeneuve, Naussac or even Conques-en-Rouergue.

in 2022

The latest estimates for 2022 cite a dozen new towns: La Couvertoirade, Rebourguil, Creissels, Mostuéjouls, Réquista, Olemps, Luc-la-Primaube, Salles-la-Source, Laissac, Bozouls, Espalion, Saint-Geniez-d’Olt and finally Firmi.

Avoid having stagnant water

Each individual can also make efforts to avoid the proliferation of the insect near his home. “It is the breeding sites, in other words the places of laying, which must be avoided”, explains Deborah Galy, environmental facilitator with ARS Occitanie. Stagnant water is the favorite haunt of tiger mosquitoes: “The smaller the area, the more they love it. Water in a bottle cap is enough for the insect to reproduce.”

Advice from the Regional Health Agency.
Repro Midi Libre – ARS

It is therefore recommended to empty basins, pots or water points that you have at least once every seven days (or put sand inside), remember to store toys outside or even cover your collectors of water.

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