Arboviruses are viral diseases transmitted by mosquitoes, such as dengue, zika or chikungunya. Every year, between May 1 and November 30, Public Health France monitors these diseases in metropolitan France. Definition, list, symptoms, cases, how to protect yourself…
Arboviruses include viral illnesses caused by a virus transmitted by the bites of infected mosquitoesas dengue fever, zika, yellow fever or chikungunya. Each year, between May 1 and November 30, Public Health France coordinates the seasonal heightened surveillance of these diseases in the metropolitan departments, in conjunction with the Regional Health Agencies (ARS) and the National Reference Centers, and publish every week the figures of the cases on the territory. Since May 1, 2022, 13 imported cases dengue fever have been recorded. What is an arbovirus? What are the symptoms ? How to protect yourself from it?
Definition: what is an arbovirus?
Arboviruses are viral diseases transmitted by an arbovirusa vector of type mosquito (tiger mosquito for example) or tick, to animal or human hosts, defines Public health France. These ailments are mostly tropical. We identify approximately 130 known pathogenic arbovirusesbelonging to a dozen different haematophagous (blood-feeding) families.
What is the list of arboviruses?
The main arboviruses are:
What are the symptoms of an arbovirus?
Arbovirosis is manifested by:*
- A high fever which occurs suddenly
- Of the chills
- Of the headache
- Retro-orbital pain (ache behind the eyes)
- Nausea
- Vomitings
- Joint and muscle pain
- Sometimes a rash
Arboviruses are mainly diseases tropical which may be caused by several viruses (are counted approximately 130 known pathogenic arboviruses, belonging to a dozen different families). The arbovirus are viruses transmitted to humans by hematophagous arthropods (mainly insects (flies and mosquitoes, including the tiger mosquito) and arachnids (ticks)) from an animal reservoir or an infected individual. “The infection is transmitted by the contaminated vector by taking the virus from the blood from an infected person and can, during another bite, transmit the virus to a new person. An infected person is “contaminant for mosquitoes” when the virus is present in his blood“, details Public Health France.
How many cases of arbovirosis are there in France?
The tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) can cause arboviruses such as dengue, zika or chikungunya.
From 1er May 2022 to May 20, 2022, have been identified in mainland France:
- 13 imported cases of dengue fever; all were diagnosed in departments with documented implantation ofAedes albopictus (tiger mosquito)
- No imported cases of chikungunya
- No imported cases of zika
the tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) can cause arboviruses such as dengue, zika or chikungunya. The presence of the tiger mosquito has extended throughout France since 2004. At the end of 2021, 67 of the 96 departments metropolitan were colonized.
Different arboviruses can be responsible for identical clinical pictures. Similarly, the same virus can cause several types of infection, hence the importance of laboratory diagnosis. This diagnosis is based onvirus isolation, viral cultures, PCRelectron microscopy and the detection of antigens and antibodies when available.
What does arbovirus surveillance consist of?
Between May 1 and November 30, Public Health France is launching its seasonal monitoring. Epidemiological surveillance makes it possible to slow down mosquito colonization in the departments which are not yet invaded and limit contamination. To detect transmission risks, surveillance relies on mandatory declaration with notification of any case, imported or indigenous, biologically documented. Each report is made by doctors and laboratories and triggers an immediate epidemiological and entomological investigation. It is possible to report the presence of the tiger mosquito on the official portal of the health authorities: signalement-moustique.anses.fr
What is the treatment for arbovirosis?
The treatment is symptomatic. Prophylaxis relies on vector control and vaccination : yellow fever, tick-borne encephalitis, Japanese encephalitis.
To protect yourself and avoid being bitten by mosquitoes in regions where cases of chikungunya, dengue or zika have been reported, here are the right things to do:
- Wear some loose and covering clothing
- Use mosquito repellents
- Sleep under a mosquito net
- Plug in electric diffusers
- Use coils outdoors
- Air conditioning the interiors
When returning from regions where cases have been reported, it is recommended:
- to consult a doctor in case of symptoms (joint pain, muscle pain, headache, skin rash with or without fever, conjunctivitis, etc.)
- to avoid being bitten by a mosquito and thus infecting new type mosquitoes Aedes that could infect another person
- to remain vigilant
Sources: Chikungunya, dengue fever and zika: launch of the 2022 seasonal watch, Public Health France, May 25, 2022 / General information on arboviruses and arboviruses, EM Consulte.