Health authorities in Paris For the first time, parts of the French capital were equipped with combat assets Tiger mosquitoes treated. Entire streets were closed and residents were asked to stay in their homes as pest controllers sprayed insecticide on trees, green spaces and other mosquito breeding sites in the early hours of Thursday.
Such scenes are common in tropical cities and are becoming increasingly common in Europe. There are growing fears that the tiger mosquito, which can transmit the dengue, chikungunya and Zika viruses, could spread to the old continent from its native habitat in Southeast Asia.
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A Parisian brought dengue fever from his trip
“It was the first time in Paris, but not the first time in France,” Paris deputy mayor Anne Souyris, responsible for health policy, told broadcaster BFM. “Tiger mosquitoes have been a problem in the south of France for several years.”
The capital’s regional health department had previously justified the measure. The area chosen for tiger mosquito control is within a radius of 150 meters from the home of a person in the 13th district who contracted dengue fever while traveling. “These measures are being taken to reduce the risk of dengue transmission after a case is detected,” the agency said in a statement.
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Tiger mosquitoes
Tiger mosquitoes (Aedes albopictus) are a species of mosquito native to Southeast Asia, but have spread to many parts of the world, including Europe, due to globalization and increased international travel. Known for their distinctive black and white striped appearance, these mosquitoes can transmit diseases such as dengue fever, Zika virus and chikungunya.
Tiger mosquitoes are common in France
A second spraying operation took place in the suburb of Colombes, northeast of Paris, on the night of Thursday to Friday. Another person was registered there who contracted dengue after returning from a trip abroad.
Municipal authorities are trying to prevent a chain of infections from emerging in the Paris region, where around 12 million people live. Tiger mosquitoes were first spotted in France in 2004. According to data from the Ministry of Health, they are now present in 71 of the continent’s 96 departments.