We must expect, in the years to come, an increase in cases of dengue fever, Zika and chikungunya, diseases transmitted by mosquitoes “vectors” now widely established on the national territory, warns the Committee for monitoring and anticipation of health risks (Covars).
In a 60-page opinion published on “the health risks of dengue fever and other arboviruses” (viruses transmitted in particular by mosquitoes), the former scientific council recalls that the French tropical territories are confronted with them on a recurring basis.
But in recent years, the metropolis has also recorded a growing number of autochthonous cases (that is to say not from contamination outside the territory) and outbreaks of these viruses.
In question, the mosquitoes Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus (commonly called the tiger mosquito).
Since 2010, the number of metropolitan departments colonized by the tiger mosquito has been multiplied by 10.
And last summer, the metropolis experienced 65 cases of autochthonous dengue fever, recalls the Covars.
In mainland France, no serious form of the disease has been observed to date, unlike overseas territories where populations are repeatedly exposed.
“The increase in cases is inevitable due to the increase in travel and climate change”, noted Didier Fontenille, entomologist, one of the authors of the report, during a press briefing.
“Soon all of France will be affected by the tiger mosquito. As for Aedes aegypti, it is resistant to insecticides, these are two very bad news,” he added.
According to Covars, these viral diseases “could become public health problems in mainland France”.
The forthcoming organization of major international sporting events in mainland France (in particular the 2024 Olympics), which generate significant migration of populations from all over the world, “reinforces the risk of occurrence of outbreaks of dengue, Zika and chikungunya”, adds -he.
“We were already overwhelmed with 65 cases. If next year there are 300, we will not be able to cope, we will have to adapt”, warned Didier Fontenille.
If France has a system of surveillance, detection, management of these diseases considered “efficient”, it remains “improvable”, in particular in mainland France, estimates the Covars.
Lack in particular a “national coordination” to be informed of the situation of other regions.
“We are not in a disaster scenario but we must take the risk seriously through prevention campaigns or better organization of the actors”, concluded the president of Covars, Brigitte Autran, during the press briefing.