The regional health agency warns of the proliferation of the tiger mosquito. In 2023, the number of colonized municipalities will more than double in the region.
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 fever 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 bites 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 the Doubs and the Jura since 2020 and in the Territoire de Belfort and in the Yonne since 2023. The ARS (via a mosquito control operator) implements surveillance in the 8 departments of the region through a network of traps. nesting boxes, mainly in the most populated urban units, in order to follow 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 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).
The growing presence of the tiger mosquito in the Burgundy-Franche-Comté region and the alarming figures for 2023 highlight the need for increased vigilance and concerted action to control its spread. Health authorities continue to raise public awareness on preventive measures to take to limit the risks of mosquito bites and potential breeding grounds, while emphasizing the importance of reporting any suspected cases for rapid and effective intervention.
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