The Corsican Regional Health Agency reports a case of autochthonous dengue fever in Corsica, confirmed by the National Reference Center for arboviruses (CNR).
In addition, the person who was infected lives in Corsica and has not traveled recently. To date, the patient is no longer viraemic and his state of health has given rise to no concern.
Note dengue fever is not transmitted directly from person to person but through a bite from a mosquito of the species Aedes albopictus (called “tiger mosquito”).
We speak of an autochthonous case in Corsica when a person has contracted the disease on the island territory and has not traveled to a contaminated area in the 15 days preceding the appearance of symptoms.
To date, this is the only known case in Corsica.
What are the symptoms of dengue
Dengue fever is manifested by a high fever which appears suddenly. It is often accompanied by chills, headache, retro-orbital pain, nausea, vomiting, joint and muscle pain and, inconsistently, a rash around the 5th day of symptoms. The evolution is most often favorable after a few days.
An epidemiological survey is carried out among the inhabitants
Investigations, in conjunction with Public Health France, are underway to identify any other cases and apply appropriate mosquito control measures in collaboration with the Collectivity of Corsica.
To avoid the transmission of the dengue virus, it is indeed very important to put in place, if necessary, mosquito control measures in the neighborhood of residence and in the places frequented by the confirmed case (public roads, private gardens).
These interventions, implemented by the Collectivity of Corsica, make it possible to eliminate potentially infected adult mosquitoes and to remove breeding sites to limit the proliferation of mosquitoes in these sectors.
What to do with symptoms?
Ars Corse recalls that in the presence of symptoms suggestive of dengue fever, in particular if they appear within 15 days of returning from a trip to an area where the virus is circulating, it is important to protect yourself against bites. of mosquitoes, to limit their movements and to consult their attending physician immediately.