This year the tiger mosquito is still well established in France. It is even more and more active, now present in 67 departments, i.e. nearly 65% of the territory.
The Vigilance-moustiques site publishes an updated map every year showing the presence of the tiger mosquito on French territory, department by department. And this year, 67 departments are colonized or in the process of being colonized, can we read on the site, i.e. nearly 65% of the territory .
In 2019, the site classified 51 departments as "red vigilance" (officially implanted and active mosquitoes). The 2020 map shows us that the progression of the insect, introduced into France in 2006, is still ongoing, with 6 new departments concerned by this higher level of vigilance (i.e. 57 in total):Charente, Cher, Loire-Atlantique, Yvelines, Deux-Sèvres and Vienne.
The mosquito is the main predator of humans, responsible for hundreds of millions of deaths each year. His influence is such that he would even have greatly shaped the history of our species. In his book The Mosquito:A Human History of Our Deadliest Predator , historian Timothy C. Winegard evokes the idea that mosquitoes have killed almost half of all humans who have lived on Earth for 200,000 years .
As a reminder, the tiger mosquito can transmit several diseases such as dengue fever, chikungunya and the Zika virus. On the other hand, the WHO assures that it does not transmit the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, responsible for Covid-19.
Recognizable by its white stripes, the tiger mosquito is an aggressive species but not very lively, and therefore rather "easy to crush" specifies the site, which distills some advice with the aim of avoid their proliferation near your home. It is particularly recommended to empty the vases and saucers of outdoor flower pots, to make rainwater collection containers inaccessible to mosquitoes, to turn watering cans upside down or to provide a sufficient slope so that the water does not stagnate in the gutters.
The site also offers some tips to protect yourself from bites, such as wearing loose-fitting, covering clothes, turning on the air conditioning or even applying to the mosquito repellent skin , while making sure to follow the advice of your doctor or pharmacist.
And if unfortunately you happen to get bitten, be sure to disinfect the targeted area as soon as possible to limit the risk of contagion. In the event of the appearance of suspicious symptoms within five days, such as high fever, body aches, joint and muscle pain or a feeling of great fatigue, it is then strongly advised to consult your doctor as soon as possible.
