Since the start of 2024, 1,679 cases of dengue imported were counted by the health authorities in mainland France, compared to 131 over the same period in 2023. These alarming figures were relayed on April 23, 2024 by the Directorate General of Health and Public Health France, during a press conference, in order to of take stock of the epidemiological situation in France and the good practices to adoptas the start of the activity period approaches tiger mosquito. Indeed, the number of dengue cases is particularly monitored between May 1 and November 30, the period of activity of the tiger mosquito, vector of the virus.
The dengue virus is transmitted by the bite of the tiger mosquitohere in 78 departments metropolitan areas on January 1, 2024 according to the General Directorate of Health, but especially in overseas regions such as Guadeloupe, Guyana, and Martinique. Dengue fever most often causes flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, or body aches, within 3 to 14 days after being bitten by a carrying tiger mosquito.
Increase in imported dengue cases: 82% come from the French West Indies
Public Health France and the Directorate General of Health are warning about this “unprecedented situation”, with a much higher number of imported dengue cases than in previous years. Among these imported cases, 82% come from the French West Indies (Guadeloupe and Martinique), where an epidemic is underway since September-October 2023. However, this epidemic does not equal the levels of that of 2010, but has many more cases imported to the mainland.
This increase does not only concern the French West Indies, but the entire area of Latin America and the Caribbean. Indeed, Public Health France recalls that the Pan American Health Organization recently highlighted the sharp increase in cases of dengue fever in the Americas, with almost 3 times more cases recorded in 2024 than over the same period in 2023.
Circulation of the dengue virus: what behaviors to adopt?
In order to prevent the circulation of the dengue virus in metropolitan France, the Directorate General of Health and Public Health France have shared the best practices to adopt. It is therefore recommended to eliminate stagnant water indoors or near habitats, which are conducive to the development of mosquitoes. For people traveling to risk areas such as Guadeloupe, Martinique, or Guyana, health authorities recommend protect yourself from mosquito bites, in order to avoid contracting the disease, in particular by wearing loose, covering clothing, and by using mosquito repellents or mosquito nets. For those returning from risk areas, it is advisable to continue to protect yourself from mosquito bites for three weeksin order to prevent a tiger mosquito from possibly being contaminated and in turn transmitting the virus, but also to consult your doctor as soon as possible in the event of symptomssuch as joint or muscle pain, headaches, or even a rash.
Olympic Games: what measures will be put in place to limit the transmission of the virus?
According to the General Directorate of Health, “the Olympic Games are not an additional risk factor, what is is the increase in the flow of travelers”. During the Olympic Games, for each human case detected in a department where the tiger mosquito is present, there will be an entomological investigation carried out by the regional health authorities, in order to possibly carry out mosquito control operations by authorized operators. These actions will be accompanied by an epidemiological field investigation around the home and places where the affected person frequents to identify possible other cases.
Furthermore, the new dengue vaccine recommendations from the High Authority for Health will be available from June 2024, in order to define precise guidelines according to age, populations, immune status, or even underlying pathologies.
Sources :
- Upsurge in imported cases of dengue fever in mainland France: call for vigilance as the tiger mosquito activity season approaches – Public Health France – April 23, 2024
- Upsurge in cases of dengue fever imported into mainland France: health authorities call for vigilance as the period of tiger mosquito activity approaches – Directorate General of Health – April 23, 2024
