South-East ‘colonised’ by tiger mosquitoes amidst disease fears
Residents are being reminded to stay vigilant during mosquito season
The tiger mosquito has now colonised every department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (PACA) region
Faisal.k/Shutterstock.
All departments in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (Paca) region are now colonised by tiger mosquitoes, prompting the regional health agency ARS Paca to issue a warning and inform citizens how to protect themselves amid fears of mosquito-borne diseases.
By 2025, the tiger mosquito was present in 81 of France’s 96 departments, with Alpes-Maritimes being the first department where it was observed, back in 2004.
The tiger mosquito can transmit diseases including chikungunya, dengue and Zika.
However, the fact that a department is considered colonised does not mean that the mosquito is present in every municipality. “All departments (04, 05, 06, 13, 83 and 84) in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (PACA) region are colonised, but not all municipalities,” the ARS stated.
ARS is asking people to be vigilant by eliminating stagnant water, storing away or covering water containers such as buckets, watering cans and plant pots, collecting green waste, and cleaning gutters.
It also advises people to protect themselves from tiger mosquitoes by wearing long, loose-fitting clothing, using repellents, and turning on ventilation devices.
The authority also stresses that not all mosquitoes are carriers, and being bitten does not mean that a person has been infected with a disease.
If bitten, however, it is important to keep an eye out for symptoms including fever, muscle pain, headaches and conjunctivitis.
The alert comes after 92 imported cases of mosquito-borne diseases were reported in mainland France between May 1 and 25, including 79 cases of dengue, 12 cases of chikungunya and one case of Zika virus disease.
If anyone experiences any of the above symptoms, it is essential to contact a doctor promptly. Confirmed cases must be reported to the health authorities.
