French health authorities updated their map showing the spread of the tiger mosquito in France. On 1st of January 2021, 64 of the country's départements on "red alert", six more than on 1st of January 2020. Present in France since 2004, the Aedes albopictus mosquito is originally from Asia and is the vector for diseases such as dengue, chikungunya and Zika.
In 2021, the tiger mosquito (see What is the "tiger mosquito" (Aedes albopictus)?) can be found in 64 French départements. The General Directorate of Health compiles each year the presence of this mosquito in France. The species is continuing to progress fast, with six new départements : Mayenne, Jura, Doubs, Cantal, Haute-Vienne and Indre-et-Loire. These join the 58 départements that were on “red alert” in 2020, where the mosquito was already established and active (i.e. settled and breeding).
The départements are divided into two categories (see map below) :
- lightly colonized départements, with less than 40% of towns and villages colonized by the mosquito;
- heavily colonized départements, with at least 40% of towns and villages colonized by the mosquito.
The French départements where the tiger mosquito is present and active are classified as level 1 in the national plan to prevent the spread of chikungunya, dengue and Zika. To date, no level 1 département has returned to a lower level.
The tiger mosquito, with its characteristic black and white stripes, mainly lives in urban areas. Because of its anthropophilic nature, it is practically impossible to get rid of once it has arrived in a town or region.
See "What is the "tiger mosquito" (Aedes albopictus)?"
Progression from 2004 to 2020
Gif made with data from Direction générale de la santé / Ministère chargé de la santé : https://solidarites-sante.gouv.fr/IMG/pdf/extension_moustique_classement_1_annee_2004_a_2020.pdf
Source: General Directorate of Health/French Ministry of Health
This study is part of the priority scientific area Emerging infectious diseases of the Institut Pasteur's strategic plan for 2019-2023.
