2023-04-22 19:03:00
The website vigilance-moustiques.com affirms that specific monitoring of the Tiger mosquito has become necessary in France due to its recent presence in temperate zones. ” The colonization of French territory by the Tiger mosquito is increasingly rapid “and consequently” epidemic phenomena are very quick to spread “. The Tiger mosquito has the capacity to adapt to harsh winter conditions and to reappear each year, with fine weather, which causes new health alert situations. It is a potential vector for serious diseases, such as dengue fever, chikungunya, yellow fever and, to a lesser extent, the Zika virus. These diseases of tropical origin, which are rampant in the overseas departments with regular epidemic episodes in tourist areas, can be imported into France by holidaymakers. This aggravates the risk factors. This was the case in Italy in 2007 with 300 indigenous cases identified, a month and a half after the arrival in the territory of a person carrying Chikungunya. In 2022, France experienced 9 epidemic outbreaks and 65 indigenous cases. Every year, about five cases of imported Dengue fever are recorded in Corsica. In October 2022, the first indigenous case was reported. Symptoms – high fevers, headaches, joint or muscle pain, rash – can occur several days after the bite. It is recommended to consult a doctor in case of doubt, especially pregnant women since these diseases lead to risks of fetal malformations during the first six months of pregnancy.
How to recognize it and protect yourself from it?
The Aedes Albopictus is smaller than a penny: it measures only a few millimetres. It has a fairly slow flight and is easily crushed in flight. Black in color, its white stripes on its legs and abdomen have earned it its nickname of the tiger mosquito. It is born in small lodgings where there is stagnant water: cup of flowerpots, watering can, bucket, persistent puddle, hollow of trees, old tire, clogged gutter, etc… The best solution to protect yourself from it is to prevent them from proliferating by emptying these small reservoirs of water or by renewing them at least once a week. The use of insecticides is often ineffective, as explained by the Corsican Regional Health Agency on its website https://www.corse.ars.sante.fr/les-moustiques-especes-nuisibles : « There are several ways to protect yourself from it and the systematic use of insecticides is not the best solution. Even if they are approved, these products can be irritating and only kill adult mosquitoes which will be replaced within a few days by mosquitoes present in the form of larvae. These products can also have harmful effects on the environment, in particular killing or disorienting bees which are particularly sensitive to them. The simplest and most effective is to remove all small water points in which the mosquito can lay eggs and develop. Just empty the bucket and turn it over, clean the gutter to facilitate the flow of water, put sand in the cup “. There are also natural predators like frogs, spiders, bats and especially swallows which eat up to 3000 mosquitoes a day.
How to avoid stings?
To avoid contracting diseases, it is essential to protect yourself against the tiger mosquito. The WHO recommends avoiding non-essential outings in infested areas at dawn and dusk, and wearing loose, light-coloured clothing covering the whole body, including the legs and arms, and use skin repellent. She also advises sleeping in an air-conditioned room or under the protection of a mosquito net, especially above baby beds, or equipped with an insecticide diffuser. Spirals can be used outdoors.
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