It was the last region spared from this scourge. But Normandy in turn recorded a first case of tiger mosquito, the Regional Health Agency (ARS) confirmed on Wednesday March 20, according to France Blue. A specimen ofaedes albopictusfrom its scholarly name, was formally identified in Seine-Maritime after reports in 2023.
If, “to date, no local transmission of disease linked to this mosquito has been observed in Normandy. specifies the Regional Health Agency, it recalls that “the presence of the tiger mosquito can quickly become a significant source of nuisance”. The females (the only ones to attack) are very aggressive without even waiting for nightfall. Furthermore, “this species of mosquito is a potential vector of viruses such as dengue, Zika or chikungunya”underlines the ARS.
This 5 millimeter vampire with white and black striped legs arrived from South-East Asia in 2004. Since then, it has continued to spread across France. According to health authorities, as of January 1, 2023, it was present in 71 departments, after having conquered four departments in the space of a year: Allier, Ille-et-Vilaine, Loir-et-Cher and Haute-Loire . The entire territory should be affected within a decade.
Far from its original tropical forests, the tiger mosquito settles in regions of France that are usually colder. But global warming offers conditions conducive to its spread, especially in urban areas. Heat shortens the mosquito’s development cycle, while cooler winters prevent the larvae from disappearing.
Biological larvicide
In the north-east of France, the Eurometropolis of Strasbourg, for example, announced on Monday that it was intensifying its fight against the “tiger” which “proliferated for several years”, with the deployment of a biological larvicide. This could exterminate between 60 and 80% of the larvae. To give themselves the means to fight against this pest, the local authorities have also planned to quadruple the budget dedicated to this subject, to increase it to 200,000 euros.
Health authorities also recall simple measures to try to protect against infestation: remove objects and places likely to contain stagnant water, or if necessary put sand in the cups of flower pots and install mosquito nets. on rainwater tanks.