Summary:
The Principality of Monaco has implemented a mosquito surveillance system to detect if they carry viruses like dengue and trigger targeted interventions if necessary.
Full Story:
Monaco has implemented a mosquito surveillance system to monitor the presence of the Aedes albopictus mosquito, also known as the tiger mosquito. This species arrived in Menton in 2004 and has since spread irreversibly throughout the Alpes-Maritimes region and the Principality of Monaco. The tiger mosquito is a carrier of viral diseases, including dengue fever. People who travel to endemic areas such as Africa, Asia, and Latin America can contract the disease and bring it back to Europe. If an infected person is bitten by a mosquito, the mosquito can then transmit the virus to another individual.
In response to the increasing cases of dengue fever in the PACA region, the Department of Social Affairs and Health has established a mosquito surveillance system to determine if the mosquitoes are carrying viruses and to trigger targeted interventions when necessary. Various mosquito sampling instruments have been deployed in strategic areas of Monaco, including public spaces. Samples will be collected and analyzed weekly to ensure the absence of arboviruses such as dengue, chikungunya, Zika, and West Nile virus.
To prevent the transmission of arboviral diseases, it is essential for infected individuals to take necessary precautions, such as using mosquito repellents, sleeping under mosquito nets, staying in well-ventilated areas, and applying insecticides. Larvicide and adulticide treatments can also be conducted inside homes if needed to target mosquito larvae and adults.
Symptoms of dengue fever typically appear 4 to 10 days after incubation and include high fever, headaches, nausea, and vomiting. If these symptoms occur, it is strongly recommended to consult a doctor who can conduct a rapid diagnostic test to confirm dengue fever if other causes of fever are ruled out.
It’s important to note that dengue fever is a notifiable disease, and medical professionals and laboratories are required to report cases to the Health Department. This allows for the prompt implementation of preventive measures to prevent the development and spread of the virus.
Source:
Gouvernement Monaco
