From orange alert to red alert in a few days, the tiger mosquito is becoming more and more established in Occitania. The problem with this species is that it can transmit serious tropical diseases.
Occitania is placed on red alert on the map of Mosquito vigilance for a few days, a direct consequence of the implantation of the tiger mosquito in the region. Virulent and transmitter of diseases, they are active from May to November. The presence of the insect has rarely been so important in France. Today, 67 departments of the metropolis are affected.
Despite their strong presence in the territory Occitan, Isabelle Esteve-Moussion, vector control coordinator for the ARS d’Occitanie wanted to be reassuring at the microphone of Sud Radio: “In itself, red does not mean an important alert”. In effect, the signal only informs of the presence and activity of the insect on the region. The red alert is therefore launched because of their great activity.
Unlike heat mosquitoes, black, noisy and just biting, the tiger mosquito is smaller, silent, black and white and only bites during the day.
Le Ministry of Solidarity and Health publishes in its press release several ways to warn of their attacks. “Wear loose and covering clothes”; “mosquito repellents, external spirals” or even “mosquito nets” at night.
Another recommendation: remove all standing water around his home. It is in these waters that mosquitoes breed. Secondly, the ministry asks citizens to report the presence of tiger mosquitoes in the neighborhoods or towns affected on the site. signalement-moustique.anses.fr.
Especially since the tiger mosquito can be a vector of several viruses. Dengue, chikungunya or Zika virus, all three are dangerous to humans. If traveling to an area where cases of infection have been reported, the first reflex to have is to consult a doctor. Indeed, in the event of a bite, the symptoms are not always felt or even non-existent. However, it is possible to contract one of the viruses without realizing it and to transmit it in turn.
Previous cases
In Occitania, 24 cas (especially dengue fever) were listed between May 1 and December 10, 2021. This represents 14% of the number of cases in France.
According to’World Health Organization (WHO), dengue infection has been constantly evolving for more than ten years. She estimates between 100 and 400 million infections per year “. However, she clarifies that more than 80% of these infections are mild or asymptomatic ».