Many cases of dengue and chikungunya confirmed in the south of France, Notre Planete Info, 14/06/10 Christophe Magdelaine
In May 2010, due to air travel and current dengue epidemics in the French Departments of America and in the Indian Ocean, and a chikungunya alert in Reunion, dozens of imported cases were reported in the departments of southern France where the tiger mosquito has become acclimatized.
Epidemiology of chikungunya
The chikungunya virus is an arbovirus. Human-to-human transmission occurs through Aedes mosquitoes. The French Health Watch Institute (1) specifies that the introduction of the virus at La Reunion and Mayotte in 2005 resulted in a large-scale epidemic that lasted until April 2007, when the two islands were entered an interepidemic phase, characterized by a sporadic circulation of the virus.
Apart from the “imported cases” of travelers who have acquired a chikungunya infection in an area where the virus circulates, no case of indigenous chikungunya (virus which would develop directly on the spot) has currently been observed in the other metropolitan departments and territories of 'overseas.
However, the potential for transmission of the chikungunya virus exists in mainland France due to the geographically limited implantation of the vector mosquito (tiger mosquito or Aedes albopictus) and the possible introduction of the virus by infected persons in the viremic phase.
Chikungunya symptoms
After an incubation of 4 to 7 days on average (1-12 days), a high fever appears suddenly accompanied by arthralgia (joint pain) which can be intense, mainly affecting the extremities (wrists, ankles, phalanges). Myalgia (muscle pain), headache (headache) and a maculopapular rash also occur. Benign hemorrhages such as gingivorrhagia (bleeding gums) are also possible, especially in children. Treatment is symptomatic (analgesic, antipyretic).
The evolution is most often favorable, without sequelae, but it can also evolve towards a chronic phase marked by persistent arthralgia.
The cases in the overseas territories
Many cases are regularly listed in the overseas territories of France (2).
Martinique, Guadeloupe and Guyana: epidemics of dengue
La Reunion: End focus of Chikungunya in Plateau Caillou, but active and persistent circulation in the commune of Saint-Paul; 115 cases of indigenous dengue (serotype 3)
Mayotte: indigenous circulation of the dengue virus (39 cases), serotype 3
Guyana: since the start of the epidemic (last week of December), an estimated 6 cases have been clinically suggestive of dengue fever for the entire department.
Chikungunya virus has affected southern Europe since 2007
On August 30, 2007, the Italian health authorities reported that an epidemic of chikungunya had been going on since the beginning of July in the province of Ravenna, Region Emilia Romagna. This epidemic in Italy attests to the reality of the risk of vector transmission of the chikungunya virus in certain areas of southern Europe. The Italian region where the epidemic has suffered has climatic characteristics quite close to those of the French departments where Aedes albopictus is currently established: Alpes-Maritimes, Haute-Corse, Corse du Sud and Var.
Dozens of confirmed cases in the south of France
The accelerated surveillance of dengue and chikungunya, implemented since May 1, 2010 in the 5 departments affected by Aedes albopictus, enabled the detection, as of June 10, 2010, of 40 suspected cases (reported to the Regional Health and Paca Agencies and Corsica).
Twenty-six of these cases had positive RT-PCR and / or IgM confirming recent infection due to the dengue or chikungunya virus. These 26 positive cases were all imported. Twenty were viral: 19 confirmed cases of dengue (including 5 of serotype DENV-1 and 3 of DENV-3) and one case of chikungunya. With regard to stays abroad, most had traveled to the Antilles (19 cases) or the Indian Ocean (7 cases).
The background entomological evaluation carried out by EID-Mediterranee (entomology and vector control services) throughout the Paca region confirmed that the activity of the vector Aedes albopictus had resumed intensely in the Alpes-Maritimes , and started in the Var and the Bouches du-Rhone.
Prevention
Individual prevention is based on the means of protection against mosquito bites (spray, cream, coils, electric diffusers, long clothing, mosquito nets, use of air conditioning). Community prevention consists of removing potential hoppers (stagnant water) near homes.
Notes
A public establishment, placed under the supervision of the ministry responsible for health, the Institute for Public Health Surveillance (InVS) brings together surveillance, vigilance and alert missions in all areas of public health.
The overseas territories are: New Caledonia - French Polynesia - Wallis and Futuna - French Departments of America - La Reunion - Mayotte
Sources
Weekly WatchProvence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur - Corsica; Point n ° 2010-23 published on June 11, 2010 - InVS
Synthesis of monitoring data on dengue and chikungunyadans in French overseas territories - InVS
http://www.notre-planete.info/actualite ... France.php