It is a viral disease transmitted by an insect vector, in this case…
It is a viral disease transmitted by an insect vector, in this case a mosquito. Reported on October 7 in Biscarrosse, this is the first case of autochthonous arbovirosis: the patient having not left the territory in the two weeks preceding the symptoms, she was bitten in the region.
Analyzes are underway to find out which virus infected her, among the three possible ones: dengue fever, zika or West-Nile. The patient is now cured, without treatment and after simple flu-like symptoms, specifies the Regional Health Agency (ARS).
This West-Nile fever is endemic in the South-East of France, but not yet in New Aquitaine
The West Nile at Blaye
At the same time, and without the ARS establishing a link between the two cases, two cases of arbovirosis were also declared on two horses in Gironde, also bitten by mosquitoes. Usually parked in Cartelègue and Lège-Cap-Ferret, these horses were brought together in the vicinity of Blaye, where they would have contracted the disease via a Culex mosquito.
If the virus is not identified in the case of the woman from the Landes, we know on the other hand for equines that it is the West-Nile, according to the Departmental Directorate for the Protection of Populations (DDPP). The latter relayed the information to rural and equine veterinarians in the Gironde.
No danger for humans
“These are the first cases of contamination with this virus detected to date in our department, writes the DDPP. West-Nile fever is a viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes which become infected exclusively by infected birds. Equidae and humans can be affected by West-Nile fever when they are bitten by infected mosquitoes. Infected equines reveal the presence of the virus in an area but do not transmit the disease and do not represent a danger to humans. »
A prefectural order declaring infection for the two detention sites was issued, with a ban on movement and mandatory disinsectization. This West-Nile fever is endemic in the South-East of France, but not yet in New Aquitaine.
Importance of mosquito control
According to Fabienne Jouanthoua, head of environmental health policies at the ARS, Blaye is on a migration corridor for birds, which carry this virus and can transmit it to mosquitoes.