Tuesday’s case was determined. Although this infection is often mild, it can sometimes cause severe symptoms.
Dengue fever, that infectious disease we all hear about, but we don’t really know how to describe it. Transmitted by mosquito bites, it is found mainly in the tropics.
This Tuesday, a case was detected in Viennes, in the Var. Mosquito control was planned immediately on Thursday or Friday night to prevent the spread of disease. Another case was identified in Toulon in July.
• often mild illness
In most cases, the dengue virus causes asymptomatic disease. “The usual form is a sudden fever accompanied by pain and a rash,” he explains public health France.
Asymptomatic persons in their “classic” forms have a high fever of sudden onset, accompanied by chills, headache, pain in reaction, nausea, vomiting, or rash. Flu-like symptoms appear within three to 14 days after a mosquito bite.
However, rare cases can lead to serious complications, sometimes even death. The acute form of dengue fever can occur in 1 to 5% of asymptomatic cases, according to the World Health Organization.
The French public health authority warns that it is “characterized by increased vascular permeability which can lead to shock and potentially life-threatening haemorrhage”.
• There is no specific antiviral treatment
There is no specific antiviral treatment for the dengue virus. For infected people who do show symptoms, an incubation period of four to seven days is necessary in France.
If there is a vaccine against dengue in the world, the Supreme Health Authority, however, issued two unfavorable opinions about its use in 2018 and 2019. Thus, prevention relies solely on traditional means of protection against mosquito bites.
A disease spreading in France
If mainland France does not have a tropical climate, then the spread of tiger mosquitoes in the territory increases the risk of contracting dengue.
Today, the insect is permanently planted in 51 urban divisions. “In these sections, the risk of an indigenous circulation of dengue after introduction of the virus by a sick traveler is possible,” emphasizes Ministry of Health.
“Mosquito vector control and personal protection (mosquito repellent, wearing long and loose-fitting clothing, etc.) are the best ways to reduce the risk of epidemics,” the report explained.
Like chikungunya and Zika, dengue fever must be publicized to reduce transmission of the virus.
