The regional health agency in Occitania alerts the populations: the tiger mosquitoes are back! In the Lot, he settled in 2015 and is gaining ground.
The tiger mosquito is aptly named, its bites can be fierce. In addition to the fact that it is the cause of pimples on the excruciatingly itchy skin, this small bird is also a vector of serious tropical diseases. After May 1, the species wakes up and comes to disrupt our days. A period of crazy activity for these tiny creatures which will end at the end of November, at the gates of winter.
“The tiger mosquito has almost become a domestic animal”
This is what Florian Vernichon, head of the Altopictus agency in Occitanie, whom La Dépêche contacted, says. “The tiger mosquito depends on humans, he travels with us, he takes the car, that’s how he got to Paris”. Contrary to what one might think, the tiger mosquito is very popular in large cities. “It is man who creates the optimal conditions for this species. It is provided with its blood meals and artificial containers of stagnant water for it to lay eggs”.
The tiger mosquito in the Lot
The species of tiger mosquito arrived in the Lot department in 2015, while it began to spread in metropolitan France in 2004, according to figures from the ARS and the company Altopictus (a company specializing in the surveillance of tiger mosquitoes). The ARS report for the year 2021 declares having identified fewer cases of dengue fever, chikungunya and zika last year than in 2020 in Lot and Occitania. This drop is due to last summer’s travel restriction related to Covid-19. The Lot being a very touristy department during the tiger mosquito season, and this bird loves the places where there are the most people to feed, encounters between them and you will be inevitable.
Remember that this species proliferates in artificial containers of stagnant water. So remember to empty them when you see them.
“It’s everyone’s business”
Specialist Florian Vernichon reminds us that everyone is affected by the spread of the tiger mosquito. “It also arrived in Europe by boat in used tires where it laid its eggs. As of January 1, 2022, the map of France representing the departments where the tiger mosquito has settled is clear. France is affected as well as the departments around Paris, Strasbourg and the entire ocean coast, except Brittany which is currently spared.In Occitania, the tiger mosquito is installed in 4454 municipalities in the region (44%), which represents 5.5 million inhabitants (88% of the regional population).
Usually, people infected with these viruses, dengue, chikungunya and zika, are travelers from tropical countries bitten by mosquitoes on the spot. But there are also a few indigenous cases of people who contracted the disease when they had not travelled. The Occitanie Regional Health Agency calls once more this year for extreme vigilance.
