The tiger mosquito is native to Southeast Asia. Maritime trade would have played a major role in its expansion in Europe, particularly in tire containers (rainwater stagnating in the concavities). In most cases, a tiger mosquito bite poses no danger and disappears quickly. However, it can happen that the tiger mosquito transmits potentially serious viral diseases (dengue, chikungunya, zika). In 2006, the authorities became concerned about the consequences of its presence. At this time, the island of Reunion was affected by a very strong chikungunya epidemic. This epidemic caused more than 200 deaths.
Remove larval breeding sites
An exhibition called “On the trail of the tiger mosquito” was co-designed by the Federation of Fishing and Protection of the Aquatic Environment 33 in partnership with the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Regional Health Agency. The Médoc regional natural park has acquired a copy of this exhibition and is making it available to municipalities and communities in order to raise awareness among the general public (1).
In this exhibition, it is explained in particular “how to make individuals actors, making them understand the important role they have to play in eliminating larval breeding sites”. This includes removing or emptying all places and objects that can retain rainwater to prevent this harmful insect from laying eggs and proliferating.
