Why might the presence of the tiger mosquito increase again this year?

The tiger mosquito is most active between May 1 and November 30. Arriving in mainland France in 2004aedes albopictus is now under close surveillance as its presence has gradually spread over much of the area. so alone”ten departments were affected in 2010“, they were 1 in 71^eh In January 2023, epidemiologist and professor Gilles Pialou emphasizes. “Today we find this mosquito as far as Bois de Vincennes“.

Recognizable by its black and white stripes,aedes albopictus The authorities are especially worried about the diseases it transmits to people. it can be transmitted through its bite by dengue fever, chikungunya, but also to a lesser extent by the Zika virus. The Committee on Monitoring and Prediction of Health Risks (Covars) also issued a press release on April 3 to warn of the risk of outbreaks of these diseases.over the next few summers“. These last”may become a public health problem“. Because, “If we stick to normal evolution, we are sure that all sections will affect the tiger mosquito in the coming years.– warns the infectious disease specialist.

Consider several factors

Last summer, 65 indigenous cases of dengue were identified in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur — patients who had not traveled to areas where the virus circulates but had been bitten by a mosquito that had infected itself through contact with an infected traveller. in the region, in Occitania, but also in Corsica. 272 imported dengue cases were also registered.

And for specialists, it is only the beginning, which requires the full attention of the authorities. “There are several factors to consider to take into accountProfessor Gilles Pialou emphasizes from the beginning. And first of all global warming.The latter facilitates the existence of the vector in the area (mosquitoEd), its reproduction and even allows easier transmission of diseases“. Heat really speeds up the development cycle of the tiger mosquito and increases the rate at which the virus multiplies within it. However, for the expert, the spread cannot be limited only to the climate problem. That’s also ittree planting of citieswhich should interest the authorities. Urban forests and other small plant habitats effectively allow mosquitoes to permanently colonize and breed in urban environments. eventually.

Finally, authorities fear major population shifts due to the 2024 Olympics, which will take place in France. “On the one hand, there will be more and more imported cases, on the other hand, more and more indigenous cases, so we have to take this risk seriously.“This is how the infectious disease specialist decides.

The importance of quick response and reporting

To counter these risks, the government is insisting on the importance of a quick and effective response starting this summer. For example, he invites the French, even in urban areas, to remove “standing water in and around settlements“.

“Monitoring of tiger mosquito presence is also based on citizen reports“, – confirms the press release of the Ministry of Health and Prevention of April 27. The latter has also created an online map that will allow tracking the spread of the tiger mosquito in mainland France in real time. The departments heavily colonized by this mosquito are concentrated in the southeast. “There is a strong North-South gradientProfessor Gilles Pialou emphasizes.

For an epidemiologist, first of all, the speed of the health reaction is decisive.We know what to do when diseases spread quickly, especially in Martinique or Reunion, where there have been exemplary policies.“, he emphasizes before adding.and it should not be thought that this is only valid for the extra hex“.