Second case of native dengue confirmed in France

Authorities in the region, and health agency l’Agence Régionale de Santé (ARS) confirmed the case this week, after it was reported in Caluire, near Lyon, earlier this year.

It is the second native case to be reported in the region - meaning that the virus was picked up on French soil, by an individual who had not travelled to a foreign country known to pose a high risk for dengue fever.

The first case was announced on September 23 this year, after the ill person had recovered.

Dengue fever is spread by infected tiger mosquitoes, and cannot be spread from person to person.

Authorities said they had now lifted the alert on possible transmission of the virus in the region, and confirmed that the second infected person had now returned to health.

Since the first case was announced, a campaign was launched in the area to raise awareness and to limit the spread of any further cases. Around 70 families were approached directly, and a further 300 households received letters with information on the virus.

The ARS said: “[Following the first case], two further people were identified by their medical practitioner, with a diagnosis of dengue confirmed biologically in only one of them. The identification of these two cases, in the immediate surroundings of an imported case, proves the limited chain of transmission of the virus.

It confirmed: “No further anti-vector action is required.”