First indigenous case of chikungunya detected in Var
In a press release published this Friday morning, the regional health agency of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur indicates that a first autochthonous case (1) of chikungunya was detected in La Crau, this Wednesday, June 11 .
This is the first confirmed case in mainland France this year. "Immediate measures are being implemented to limit any risk of spread," the agency said.
As a reminder, chikungunya is transmitted from person to person through the bite of a mosquito (tiger mosquito present in mainland France) infected with the virus.
Field actions to stop the spread"To prevent the spread of the disease, mosquito control is being carried out in the municipality by the Interdepartmental Agreement for the Control of Mosquitoes on the Mediterranean Coast (EID-Med), on public roads and in private gardens located around the case," the agency specifies. "The objective is to quickly eliminate breeding sites and adult mosquitoes, which can transmit the virus."
This mosquito control action "will be supplemented by a door-to-door survey carried out by the ARS Paca and Public Health France in the homes of the affected area in order to identify people who may be showing symptoms, inform them on what to do and disseminate prevention messages."
Finally, "hospitals, private doctors and medical analysis laboratories in the area are also mobilized to care for, screen and remind people who may present symptoms of chikungunya of preventive measures."
1. We speak of an indigenous case when a person contracted the disease on national territory and did not travel to a contaminated area in the 15 days preceding the appearance of symptoms.
The ARS Paca issues around ten recommendations to be implemented in order to limit the risk of the virus spreading:
1. Protect yourself from mosquito bites . It is advisable to use a skin repellent, especially in the morning and at the end of the day; wear loose, covering clothing; use air conditioners or fans that annoy mosquitoes; use mosquito nets for newborns or bedridden people.
2. Consult your doctor immediately if you experience any suggestive symptoms: high fever, joint or muscle pain, fatigue, headache, skin rash.
3. Prevent the proliferation of mosquitoes . Remove stagnant water in which mosquitoes develop, by following simple and effective actions to be carried out once a week: empty plant pots and anything that retains small quantities of water (garden furniture, tarpaulins, etc.); store anything that may contain water (children's toys, buckets, watering cans) away from the rain; close water reserves (barrels, cans) tightly or cover them with a mosquito net; ensure that gutters drain properly; maintain green spaces that can become resting places for adult mosquitoes.
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