Two cases of autochthonous dengue fever in Hautes-Pyrénées

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Tiger mosquitoes in Béarn: the scourge has struck again

Since the beginning of the summer, if for some the number of tiger mosquitoes and the annoying bites that go with it have decreased, for the vast majority of witnesses we contacted, the invasion has on the contrary increased.

10 million people preserved

He is now based in Béarn (since last January), but it was in 1980 that Scott O’Neill began to take an interest in the Wolbachia bacterium. The work of this scientist will make it possible to discover that the administration of the bacterium on Aedes aegypti mosquitoes prevents the spread of diseases such as dengue fever, yellow fever or even Zika. “It is a method that is sufficient in itself. All you have to do is administer the bacteria to a group of mosquitoes. The bacteria will then be transmitted into the eggs. This method is harmless, inexpensive and does not need to be repeated” explains the specialist.

Since this discovery, the NGO, which works with 11 countries around the world, has saved 10 million people from diseases transmitted by the virus. “On the occasion of World Mosquito Day on August 20, we celebrated the figure of 10 million people preserved from the disease. The program has prevented 20,000 hospitalizations,” explains Scott.

Case of dengue fever, little risk in France

In recent weeks two cases of dengue have been reported near the village of Andrest in the Hautes-Pyrénées department. The people who contracted the disease would not have traveled to the contaminated zone in the 15 days preceding the appearance of symptoms, so they would be indigenous cases.

If these cases may appear to be worrying at first glance, for Scott O’Neill, the risk of spread in France would be lower. “The tiger mosquito is much less of a transmitter of dengue fever. The climate in France, where the winter is harsher than in countries with a warmer climate, will not allow the spread of this disease,” the specialist believes.