France records over 90 cases of mosquito-borne diseases in May
All infections were linked to travel abroad
Health authorities are urging both doctors and the public to remain vigilant
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French health have warned people to be vigilant after a total of 92 imported cases of mosquito-borne diseases (chikungunya, dengue and Zika) were recorded in mainland France this month,
The figures from the Santé publique France related to new infections from May 1 to 25, with all cases linked to travel abroad.
The 92 cases confirmed in May include 79 cases of dengue, 12 cases of chikungunya and one case of Zika virus disease.
The health authority noted that dengue remains by far the most frequently imported infection at the start of the mosquito season.
The risk is monitored closely because the mosquito vector, Aedes albopictus (known as the tiger mosquito), is now established in 83 French departments and is active from May to November.
While no locally transmitted cases were reported in May, the high number of infections brought into the country from abroad is troubling for authorities.
This is in fact how these diseases - known as arboviruses - are spread locally, when a tiger mosquito bites an infected person who has returned from abroad and then transmits it by biting another person.
According to the bulletin, dengue cases were mainly linked to travel in overseas territories and tropical regions, including Martinique, Guadeloupe, the Indian Ocean, Africa, and parts of Asia.
Chikungunya cases were linked in particular to Mayotte, Madagascar, Mauritius, La Réunion and Guyana.
The single Zika case was linked to travel in Senegal.
Health authorities are urging both doctors and the public to remain vigilant during the mosquito season.
Symptoms of these infections can include sudden fever, headaches, muscle or joint pain, fatigue, nausea, and sometimes rash.
Anyone returning from a risk area who develops symptoms should:
consult a doctor promptly
mention recent travel history
avoid self-medication with aspirin or anti-inflammatory drugs unless advised by a doctor
follow medical advice for testing
Doctors are asked to test for dengue, chikungunya and Zika when symptoms are compatible, even if the patient has not clearly travelled recently.
Once diagnosed, cases must be reported to health authorities.
This system helps prevent the establishment of local transmission chains.
