2024-04-22 22:00:00
Dengue is an arbovirus transmitted by mosquitoes of the Aedes genus (commonly known as the “tiger mosquito”), now present in 78 departments. The dengue virus circulates throughout the intertropical zone but can also be transmitted in mainland France and other temperate zones. Dengue surveillance is based on the mandatory reporting of cases and is subject, during the period of mosquito activity, to reinforced surveillance, from May 1 to November 30, coordinated by Public Health France, in conjunction with the Regional health agencies and the National Reference Center for Arboviruses.
Since 2023, the number of imported cases of dengue fever reported in France has reached unprecedented figures, more than 60% of which return from the French West Indies, where an epidemic has been ongoing since mid-2023. Between January 1 and April 19, 2024, 1,679 cases of imported dengue fever were notified to Public Health France compared to 131 over the same period in 2023. Over this period, 82% of cases returned from the French West Indies.
Due to the very active circulation of dengue in the French territories of the Antilles (Martinique and Guadeloupe) and the significant increase in the number of cases imported into mainland France since the start of 2024, Public Health France calls for vigilance from health professionals to diagnose and report cases to health authorities, as well as travelers as the virus-carrying mosquito activity season approaches, between May and November.
Figure 1. Percentage of municipalities colonized by the tiger mosquito as of January 1, 2024
How is the dengue virus currently circulating in France?
The number of imported cases of dengue fever in France reported by mandatory declaration has increased since mid-2023 to reach unprecedented figures in the first months of 2024. Between January 1 and April 19, 2024, and while the data were not stabilized for the last few weeks, 1,679 cases of imported dengue fever were notified compared to 131 over the same period in 2023 (figure 2).
The majority of cases (82%) returned from the French Antilles, where an epidemic has been ongoing since mid-2023.
This situation comes as the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has warned of a sharp increase in dengue cases in the Americas, compared to previous years. Between weeks 2024-01 and 2024-12, the cumulative incidence rate in the Americas region was 451 cases p. 100,000 inhabitants, i.e. 3 times more than the same period in 2023 and 5 times more than the average number of cases over this period over the last 5 years (figure 3).
Figure 2. Curve of dengue cases per month imported into mainland France (2006-2024 – unconsolidated 2024 data)
Figure 3. Total number of suspected dengue cases at the end of the 12th week of 2024, 2023 and average of the last 5 years. WHO Region of the Americas.
Source : PAHO, Situation Report No 9 – Dengue Epidemiological Situation in the Region of the Americas – Epidemiological Week 08, 2024 – PAHO/WHO | Pan American Health Organization
How to avoid being infected by the tiger mosquito?
An infected person can infect a mosquito when the dengue virus is present in their blood (so-called viremic phase, lasting approximately one week). The infection is then transmitted by the contaminated mosquito vector (having previously taken the blood of an infected person) which can, during another bite, transmit the virus to a new person. After a period of regarding a week (between 3 and 14 days), the person thus infected may develop the following symptoms: fever with sudden onset, often accompanied by chills, headache, retro-orbital pain, joint pain, nausea and vomiting, and occasionally a rash.
The transmission cycle of dengue, chikungunya, and zika
What are the actions to adopt?
The right actions to adopt to protect yourself and avoid being bitten by mosquitoes in regions where mosquitoes infected with dengue fever can circulate are:
wear loose, covering clothing; use skin mosquito repellents; use fans; sleep under a mosquito net; plug in electric diffusers; use coils outside.
What are the health recommendations coming from or returning from regions where the virus is circulating?
During the 15 days following return from areas where dengue cases have been reported, it is recommended:
to consult a doctor in case of fever and to tell him which regions you are returning from; to continue to protect yourself once morest mosquito bites to prevent a tiger mosquito from biting you and being contaminated, in turn, by the mosquito virus. dengue. He might then transmit the virus to other people during an bite.
You are leaving or returning from a region where chikungunya, dengue or zika viruses are circulating
ShowHide Transcript
You are returning from a region where the Chikungunya, Dengue or Zika viruses are circulating.
[Dessin d’un moustique tigre]
[Carte des zones subéquatoriales concernées : Amérique latine et du Sud, Afrique, Asie du Sud et du Sud-Est]
Protect yourself from mosquitoes throughout your trip:
[Picto représentant un vêtement avec des manches longues et un pantalon]. Wear loose, covering clothing.
[Picto représentant un répulsif anti-moustique en spray et un diffuseur électrique]. Use mosquito repellents.
Logos French Republic and Public Health France
ShowHide Transcript
You are returning from a region where the Chikungunya, Dengue or Zika viruses are circulating.
[Dessin d’un moustique tigre].
[Carte des zones subéquatoriales concernées : Amérique latine et du Sud, Afrique, Asie du Sud et du Sud-Est].
During the 15 days following your return, in case of fever [picto représentant un thermomètre]consult a doctor and tell him where you have returned from.
French Republic and Public Health France logos.
ShowHide Transcript
You are travelling to a region where Chikungunya, Dengue or Zika viruses are in circulation.
[Drawing of a tiger mosquito]
[Map of sub-equatorial zones concerned: Latin and South America, Africa, South and Southeast Asia]
Protect yourself from mosquitoes for the duration of your trip :
[Picto showing a garment with long sleeves and pants]. Wear loose-fitting clothes that cover your skin.
[Picto of mosquito repellent spray and electric diffuser]. Use mosquito repellents.
Logos French Republic and Public Health France.
ShowHide Transcript
You are returning from a region where Chikungunya, Dengue or Zika viruses are in circulation.
[Drawing of a tiger mosquito]
[Map of sub-equatorial zones concerned: Latin and South America, Africa, South and Southeast Asia]
If you develop a fever within 15 days of returning [picto representing a thermometer]consult a doctor and say where you have been.
Logos French Republic and Public Health France.
You are returning from a region where chikungunya, dengue or zika viruses are circulating
You return to a region where chikungunya, dengue or zika viruses are circulating
You are travelling to a region where Chikungunya, Dengue or Zika viruses are in circulation.
You are returning from a region where Chikungunya, Dengue or Zika viruses are in circulation
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