France: the dengue epidemic is gaining ground in this department, the authorities are launching an appeal

Guadeloupe has entered “in epidemic phase for dengue” with a rare serotype that could cause “a high number of cases”announced the authorities of this French department in the Caribbean.

The management committee chaired by the regional prefect took action “the transition to the epidemic phase for dengue”according to a joint press release from the prefecture, the association of mayors of Guadeloupe and the Regional Health Agency (ARS) of Guadeloupe and the Northern Islands.

The authorities launched “a call for mobilization (…) to try to minimize the impact of this disease” in this territory of approximately 380,000 inhabitants.

This year, “a serotype of the dengue virus which has circulated little over the last twenty years”DENV3, raises fears of “serious risks” et “a high number of cases” if “ resolute control or prevention actions are not implemented”according to the press release.

Among 62 samples analyzed between the end of September and mid-October, “97% are DENV3”according to the latest Public Health France bulletin and the seasonal threshold for clinical cases (80 weekly cases) is largely exceeded.

At the end of October, it was estimated at 540 in community medicine, more than double that in September.

Dengue is a viral infection transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes and whose incidence has exploded worldwide since 2000, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). It can cause high fever, headaches, body aches and in severe cases, be fatal.

More common in tropical and subtropical climates, it is treated with analgesics, as there is no treatment, according to the WHO.

In their press release, the authorities of Guadeloupe recalled that it was « primordial » to fight against stagnant water which allows mosquito larvae to develop.

These stagnant waters are often “located around or in homes” and may have been “fueled by recent heavy rains”underlines the press release.

The authorities also recommend “wearing covering and loose clothing”the use of “an approved repellent product” and the use of pre-impregnated mosquito nets.

© AFP