Guadeloupe entered the epidemic phase for dengue fever this Friday, November 15, with a risk of having a high number of cases there. The fault lies with a rare serotype and a new tiger mosquito which could cause a significant increase in serious cases.
3 mins
High fever, body aches and fatigue are the symptoms of dengue fever, a potentially fatal infectious disease. This is transmitted by mosquitoes and this year, a serotype of the dengue virus which has circulated little over the last twenty years, called DENV3, makes the authorities fear the risks of serious forms and therefore a high number of cases in Guadeloupe if effective control or prevention actions are not implemented. This Friday, the island entered “ in epidemic phase », according to a joint press release from the prefecture, the association of mayors of Guadeloupe and the Regional Health Agency (ARS) of Guadeloupe and the Northern Islands.
“ For dengue, there are four serotypesexplains Anna-Bella Failloux, professor of medical entomology and mosquito specialist at the Pasteur Institute, Currently, it is dengue 3 which is raging in Guadeloupe, certainly in an area where most of the population has not experienced dengue 3, which explains the epidemic outbreak there. »
Surge in cases
What worries the authorities is that among 62 contaminated samples analyzed between the end of September and mid-October, 97% are DENV3. The seasonal threshold for clinical cases of 80 weekly cases is well exceeded. At the end of October, it was estimated at 540 in community medicine, more than double compared to the month of September. And record an average of 40 visits per week to the emergency room for suspected dengue fever, double compared to September.
“ What is worrying, Dengue fever is a disease that can cause even low mortality.explains Anna-Bella Failloux. So, we can be concerned, but above all the mosquito which is at the origin of the transmission is omnipresent. “What’s more, the territory is facing the emergence of a new type of mosquito” highly competent to transmit all arboviruses (dengue, chikungunya, Zika) », According to a press release published at the end of October from the Community and the Health Agency.
“ The tiger mosquito was detected not so long ago in Saint-Barthélemy, not very far from Guadeloupecontinues Anna-Bella Failloux. Which raises fears that this new mosquito will arrive in Guadeloupe and risks changing the transmission of dengue there.. »
To listen Health priorityDengue fever
No specific treatment
In the absence of treatment that directly combats the disease, the symptoms must be treated. For simple forms, paracetamol relieves pain and reduces fever. It must be combined with significant oral hydration. There is also a preventive vaccine, Dengvaxia, administered in three doses spaced six months apart and which is reserved for very specific people: people aged 9 to 45, previously infected with the virus and living in endemic areas.
With the fear of an outbreak of cases, prevention becomes essential. It is mainly based on the fight against mosquitoes spreading the virus and individual protection measures. The health authorities of Guadeloupe point out that it is essential to fight against stagnant water which allows mosquito larvae to develop. These water points are often located around or in homes and may have been fed by recent heavy rains.
It is also advisable to use repellents, wear protective clothing and install mosquito nets in homes. Insecticides can also be used, but their massive use can lead to resistance among mosquito populations, making them less effective.
Also readFrance: electricity restored to two thirds of homes in Guadeloupe