2023-10-20 12:39:47
According to Public Health France, the tiger mosquito, responsible for the transmission of dengue, was established in 67 French departments in 2022, raising fears of the occurrence of indigenous cases of the disease. On October 11, 2023, the ARS Ile-de-France received the report of the first indigenous case of dengue fever in the Ile-de-France region. Explanations.
A first indigenous case of dengue in Ile-de-France
After a first alert in September 2023, which ultimately turned out to be an imported case, the first indigenous case of dengue was officially announced in Ile-de-France in October 2023. Since 2004, the tiger mosquito which causes the transmission of the disease has been present in mainland France. Thanks to the increase in temperatures, its distribution area in France is extending northwards from year to year.
The persistent presence of tiger mosquito in France allows the development of indigenous cases of dengue. Remember that an indigenous case of dengue corresponds to the diagnosis of dengue in a person who has not recently returned from an area affected by dengue (15 days before the onset of the first symptoms). An indigenous case therefore contracted the disease by being bitten by the tiger mosquito in mainland France.
Less than 5% of symptomatic patients develop severe dengue
This first indigenous case of dengue fever recorded in Ile-de-France is not the first in mainland France. Several other cases have been observed and make public health authorities fear an increase in dengue fever in France in the years to come, as observed in certain overseas territories. Dengue fever is a viral disease, the virus being transmitted at the time of bite by the tiger mosquito. In more than half of cases, the infection causes no symptoms. The most commonly observed dengue causes symptoms reminiscent of a flu-like syndrome (fever, chills, headache, joint and muscle pain, nausea), sometimes associated with a rash and eye pain.
In a small number of cases, dengue fever can present as a severe form, likely to be life-threatening. It is therefore essential to be able to control the growth of the tiger mosquito on French territory to limit the number of indigenous cases. This fight against the tiger mosquito is crucial, especially since this mosquito can transmit other vector-borne diseases:
Vector control against the tiger mosquito
Following the occurrence of this first case of dengue fever in Ile-de-France, two successive mosquito control campaigns are scheduled for October 2023 in two geographical areas close to the place of residence of the diagnosed patient. Vector control against the tiger mosquito involves targeting not only adult mosquitoes, but also mosquito larvae. This fight is not the only action put in place by public health authorities, who make several recommendations:
- Inform all local residents concerned about the geographical area;
- Consult a health professional at the slightest symptom suggestive of dengue fever to be able to detect the disease as quickly as possible;
- Protect yourself against mosquito bites;
- Remove stagnant water or cover it with an airtight tarpaulin or mosquito net;
- Clean gutters regularly and store buckets, watering cans, etc.
In 2023, the ARS Ile-de-France had already organized around twenty mosquito control operations to prevent the occurrence of cases of dengue fever.
Estelle B., Doctor of Pharmacy
Sources
– Dengue fever. Public Health France. Updated October 16, 2023. www.santepubliquefrance.fr. Accessed October 18, 2023
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