Researchers from the National Institute for Agricultural, Food and Environmental Research (INRAE) have discovered for the first time in metropolitan France tiger mosquitoes infected with the dengue virus.
A first in metropolitan France. After several months of research, researchers from the National Institute for Agricultural, Food and Environmental Research (INRAE) have discovered tiger mosquitoes infected with the dengue virus, reports Le Parisien.
It all started with two cases detected in the Drôme. To find out how these Drôme residents were able to be contaminated by this “ tropical flu “, the researchers focused on the trail of insects that can transmit the virus. That’s where they detected infected tiger mosquitoes.
Tiger mosquitoes pose epidemic ‘risk’
By continuing their investigation, the experts were able to trace back to the “ patient zero » : a neighbor who had been infected during a trip to the Caribbean. But, following a medical teleconsultation, he had not been correctly diagnosed. Once back in Drôme, he must have been bitten by a local tiger mosquito, which transmitted the virus to his neighbors.
In recent years, the number of patients ” indigenous people » affected by dengue fever in France continues to increase. In 2022, 65 cases were identified. The National Agency for Food, Agriculture and Fisheries Safety (ANSES) warns of the danger that the tiger mosquito represents today. France is exposed to a “ quite high risk » epidemics linked to this species in the next five years.
published on September 17 at 11:47 a.m., Lila Bruandet, 6Medias
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