Since he took his pilgrim crew, in May 2023, to knock on the doors of his neighbors, Etienne Coco has always received a polite welcome. But this resident of Pessac (Gironde) has never felt the urge to excite his interlocutors by informing them of the way of life of the tiger mosquito and the measures that help protect themselves from it, despite the importance of the subject from a health standpoint and the mobilization of everyone in the fight against these insects, which are vectors of potentially serious diseases. “It's a bit disappointing when we see that we can't convince.” The 75-year-old retiree, former teacher, testifies.
While the Gironde has been declared a “colony” of tiger mosquitoes since 2012, Mr. Koko joined a contingent of 70 volunteer “ambassadors” to combat the mosquito last year. These Pisacians receive training before going out to spread the good word to their fellow citizens. The main message: we must eliminate the slightest water retention that can serve as a breeding ground for the larvae. A few cubic centimeters are enough, such as a cup placed under a freshly watered plant pot, or folds of tarpaulin left in the rain.
Tiger bites are not just a nuisance: the insect can transmit arboviruses such as dengue, chikungunya or Zika, by biting a sick person and then a healthy one. In the Gironde, such cases of “local” transmission have never been recorded, according to the regional health agency of Nouvelle-Aquitaine and the French public health authority; but in 2023, 78 cases of dengue and two cases of “imported” chikungunya – that is, sick travellers arriving from abroad or the outer provinces – were detected, leading to 58 mosquito control operations to prevent any epidemics.
long term mission
As of July 23, the Australian Emergency Service had recorded 32 imported cases of dengue fever and one imported case of chikungunya. The agency is monitoring the situation more closely as visitors from around the world are expected to attend the Bordeaux Stadium between July 24 and August 2 for the Olympic football competition. According to European edition of Countdown Lanceta reference publication dedicated to the impact of climate change on health, dated May 12, the pressure of these diseases is expected to increase: “Increased human mobility, coupled with increased climate suitability, is contributing to the increase in arboviral diseases in Europe.” Write scientists.
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