Last year, 378 imported cases of dengue, 23 of chikungunya and six of Zika were registered in France. Exceptional figures revealed on Monday by Public Health France, which warns of the situation.
The health agency warns against the tiger mosquito, which “continues to increase in range.” Responsible for the appearance of these cases of dengue, chikunguna and zika, this mosquito, also called Aedes albopictus, is increasingly present in France.
Present in 99% of the municipalities of Corsica
First appearing in the territory in 2004, the tiger mosquito was initially identified only in the Alpes-Maritimes. He then moved on to Corsica, then the entire Paca region, before settling in Occitania, in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, and gradually in the southern half of the country. Until today, where it is present in 71 of the 96 departments of metropolitan France, according to ANSES, the national health security agency. The departments that are still spared are in the north, north-west and north-east of France.
In addition, data from the National Food Safety Agency (ANSES) illustrate this trend. The animation below shows the waves of colonization of the tiger mosquito since 2004, which is gradually spreading from north to south of France, in regions such as Centre-Val-de-Loire, Burgundy-Franche-Comté or Grand-Est.
In 2022, the regions of Occitania, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur and Corsica were particularly affected by episodes of indigenous transmission of dengue, reports Public Health France. This means that the Aedes albopictus mosquito is present there in large numbers.
To date, it appears in 86.5% of the municipalities of the Alpes-Maritimes, 95.8% of the municipalities of Bouches-du-Rhône, or even more than 99% of those of Corsica, according to data from the ‘Anses communicated to BFMTV.com. Île-de-France is also among the most affected territories.
Through our interactive search engine below, find out if your location is among the locations colonized or partially colonized by the tiger mosquito since 2004, according to ANSES data..
One of the most invasive species in the world
Originally from the tropical forests of Southeast Asia, the tiger mosquito has been able to adapt to multiple environments and climates to colonize other regions of the globe. It is classified among the ten most invasive species in the world.
It tends to grow in peri-urban environments and in very dense urban areas. It should also be noted that humid places are especially conducive to egg laying.
In France, actions have been carried out to control and fight the proliferation of the tiger mosquito since 2006. “Effective” measures according to Public Health France, but that will undoubtedly have to be reinforced in view of the number of cases of patients inventoried in 2022. The entire The population can also contribute by reporting tiger mosquitoes at the Mosquito reporting site.
The latter is easily recognizable: it is small in size, has black and white stripes, does not make noise and bites more during the day.
Source: BFM TV
