Dengue epidemic: a vector control strategy (VCR) undermined during confinement
Pour prevent dengue epidemicof the integrated vector control strategies – i.e. the fight against mosquitoes transmitting the pathogens and parasites causing dengue fever, chikungunya, malaria, etc. – are implemented each year in the Departments and Regions French overseas territories (Martinique, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Saint-Barthélemy, Reunion, Mayotte…). These measures have several components:
- the social mobilization door-to-door, communication campaigns in the media, events in markets and neighborhood meetings, awareness-raising in schools, colleges and universities, etc. ;
- the mechanical or physical strugglewhich essentially consists in eliminating places where mosquitoes lay their eggs (muds, gutters, uncontrolled waste dumps, etc., which promote stagnation of water and the installation of larval breeding sites) in public spaces and in private homes;
- the chemical control using insecticides and repellents to kill or repel mosquitoes.
The confinement introduced on March 17 in all French territories to combat the spread of Covid-19 slowed down or even stopped the implementation of these actions. At the same time, the increase in “wild deposits”, due to the cleaning operations of confined homes, the closure of waste reception centers during the first weeks of confinement and disruptions in waste collection, also contributed to a multiplication of lodgings larvae of mosquitoes.
Even in times of Covid-19, the Agency stresses the need to continue the actions of LAV
In this context, and in the midst of a dengue fever epidemic, stopping VC operations could have serious health consequences : increase in the number of dengue cases, overcrowding of hospital services, possible occurrence of cases of dengue-Covid-19 co-infections, reduction in the reporting of dengue cases and consequently the implementation of VC actions around dengue outbreaks, etc.
Moreover, the observation of the epidemiological situation in the French overseas territories between January 1 and April 20, 2020 reveals an already high number of dengue cases (5,410 confirmed cases in Reunion, 3,163 cases recorded in Mayotte and 12 deaths reported, nearly 7,680 cases in Guadeloupe, etc.).
Consequently, with the exception of actions requiring gatherings of people and subject to the implementation of conditions minimizing the risks of transmission of Covid-19 for both VC professionals and populations, the Agency recommends the resumption of the actions of LAV usually planned.
Thus, the Agency recommends:
- of guarantee the LAV services the material and human resources to carry out their missions on a permanent basis;
- of maintain surveillance cases of dengue fever in French territories, this monitoring determining the actions of AVL (around isolated cases, outbreaks, etc.);
- of maintain vis-à-vis the public, in a media space strongly preempted by the Covid-19, an active and mobilizing communication on the fight against dengue fever encouraging the population to:
- consult a healthcare professional in the event of a suspicious sign of dengue fever, respecting the barrier measures recommended against the spread of Covid-19;
- facilitate the work of LAV operators while observing the barrier measures against the spread of Covid-19;
- appropriate and apply physical control measures: wearing long clothes, eliminating breeding sites, etc.
- of strengthen waste collection and bulky items and to ensure their elimination.