Can we speak of a new “major health risk” for metropolitan France? The parliamentary report issued this week is affirmative: the tiger mosquito continues to establish itself in new territories in France. The insect is known to carry and transmit diseases such as dengue, chikungunya or even Zika. As many pathologies that we imagined, until recently, endemic to overseas territories.
The tiger mosquito, also called Aedes Albopictus, is now firmly established in 58 metropolitan departments, according to the parliamentary report. A meteoric progression when we know that the metropolis did not count no specimen still 16 years ago. The mosquito having arrived by Italy, it is logically in the south of France that we find the most.
But its progression towards northern Europe is confirmed, with specimens reported in Belgium, the Netherlands or even in Germany. If the north of France is still relatively spared, theAedes Albopictus is “officially established” in Haut-Rhin, Bas-Rhin and Aisne. Île-de-France is also on alert.
An increase in pathologies in France
“Its eggs have a waterproof shell, and can withstand long periods of cold and drought,” the report said. One way to explain the disturbing progression of the insect, which generally follows major European highways.
In France, pathologies linked to tiger mosquito have been increasing for several years. In 2017, the Var, for example, detected 17 cases of chikungunya, while there were only 2 in 2010. Last year, 12 cases of Zika were also spotted for the first time in metropolitan France.
