The fight against the tiger mosquito is one of the public health priorities in Burgundy-Franche-Comté, where this vector of dengue, chikungunya and Zika viruses is now established in 7 of the 8 departments.
Established for many years in the Indian Ocean and the Antilles (prolonged dengue epidemic in Guadeloupe and Martinique), the tiger mosquito has established itself significantly and continuously in mainland France since the early 2000s. It is now present in 78 departments.
The ability of Aedes albopictus to be a vector of chikungunya, dengue or the Zika virus makes it a priority surveillance target for health authorities and their partners, during its period of activity in mainland France: from May 1 to November 30. . The objective of this reinforced surveillance is twofold: to slow the progression of the tiger mosquito and limit the risks of transmission of arboviruses of which it can be the vector in mainland France. The tiger mosquito is also very harmful. It also stings during the day, several times, its sting can be painful.
In the Burgundy-Franche-Comté region
Aedes albopictus is now established in 7 departments: in Saône-et-Loire, since 2014; in Côte-d’Or and Nièvre since 2018; in Doubs and Jura since 2020; in the Territoire de Belfort and in Yonne since 2023.
The ARS (via a mosquito control operator) implements surveillance in the 8 departments of the region through a network of nest traps, mainly in the most populated urban units, in order to monitor the dynamics of mosquito progression. An entomological field survey is carried out for confirmation in the event of a new establishment, it can lead to considering a new municipality as colonized. In 2023, the number of colonized communes will more than double in the region, going from less than 60 to nearly 125.
The Regional Health Agency also intervenes when a case of chikungunya, dengue fever or Zika is declared to its services (these diseases are notifiable/DO). An entomological prospecting investigation is then launched to identify or not the presence of the tiger mosquito in the places frequented by the person during the period of viremia (presence of the virus in the blood). In this case, an insecticide treatment can be decided in order to combat the establishment of autochthonous circulation of the disease. These operations are carried out by authorized and specialized operators.
In 2023, 49 imported cases of arboviruses were reported in Burgundy-Franche-Comté during the period of reinforced surveillance, giving rise to 67 entomological surveys, which themselves led to 12 treatments (compared to a single treatment carried out in 2021, in Beaune; 2 in 2022, in Mâcon). An interim report already shows nearly 70 cases of arboviruses declared in the region between December 2023 and mid-April 2024.
At the national level, the General Directorate of Health (DGS) and Public Health France have reported 1,679 imported cases of dengue since January 1, 2024, compared to 131 over the same period in 2023: an unprecedented situation which should encourage a posture of vigilance and action.
Recognize and report the tiger mosquito
Not all flying insects are mosquitoes! Aedes albopictus is small, less than 1 cm in wingspan. It is black with white spots on the body and legs, it has a white line on the thorax and a biting apparatus. Before flying and biting, mosquitoes develop in the water as larvae. Everyone can take the right steps to prevent the proliferation of Aedes albopictus by removing small reservoirs of stagnant water: remove (once a week) cups and saucers under flower pots, animal bowls, folded tarpaulins, buckets, parasol legs…; cover the water collectors tightly; store (protected from the rain) toys, wheelbarrows, buckets, watering cans; maintain gutters, channels and channels; throw away waste and used tires; create a balance in ornamental ponds: fish eat mosquito larvae.
For travelers in risk areas, it is advisable to protect themselves from mosquito bites, to continue to protect themselves from these bites upon return, for 3 weeks, to consult a doctor without delay in the event of symptoms because only the declaration to the ARS makes it possible to trigger vector control measures.
The ARS Bourgogne-Franche-Comté is fully mobilized in its surveillance and intervention role; the Agency relies on the commitment of everyone, communities, professionals, users: it is the sum of individual and collective measures that will make it possible to reduce risks.
Health professionals: think about diseases transmitted by the tiger mosquito!
The areas of circulation of these 3 viruses are relatively overlapping, these are the intertropical regions. But the emergence of indigenous cases in France has been observed in certain regions for several years. Any suspicion of a diagnosis of dengue, chikungunya or Zika infection, whether or not linked to travel, must be subject to biological confirmation and any confirmed case must be declared to the ARS using of the mandatory declaration form.
info > https://signalement-moustique.anses.fr/signalement_albopictus/
