Tiger mosquitoes - which can carry diseases such as dengue fever - have been spotted in all areas of France, and health authorities have advice for the public on how to stop their spread.
The insects (Aedes albopictus) are considered to be ‘installed’ in 78 of 96 departments (and all regions), as of January 1, 2024, states the Health Ministry website. They were first noted in France in 2004.
They are largely in the south, but also found in certain areas in the north, east, and in Paris. They are most active from May to November.
Departments in metropolitan France in which tiger mosquitoes have become 'installed'sante.gouv.fr
They are identifiable by their black-and-white striped bodies (hence their ‘tiger’ name). Unlike ‘regular’ mosquitoes, they tend to be more active during the day, do not ‘buzz’, and are smaller (less than 0.5cm long).
They can be a vector for viruses including dengue, Zika, and chikungunya, with dengue being the main virus transmitted in mainland France. This is usually - but not always - due to people becoming infected in the French overseas territories (where the viruses are more common) and then returning to France.
More than 2,000 imported cases of dengue fever reported in mainland France
1,500 imported cases from the French West Indies
1,679 imported cases of dengue fever from January 1 to April 19, 2024, compared to 131 over the same period in 2023.
More than 80% of these imported cases were in people returning from Martinique or Guadeloupe, and 6% from French Guiana. These overseas territories have been experiencing epidemics since mid-2023.
‘Native’ cases (infections in those who have not travelled overseas) then happen as mosquitoes in France bite infected people, before spreading the virus by biting others.
The Health Ministry states that “the fight against viruses transmitted by the tiger mosquito is everyone's business”, and has some recommended actions that people can take to prevent the insect’s spread.
“No single measure is 100% effective; it is the sum of all these individual and collective measures that makes it possible to reduce the spread,” it states.
Fighting against larval breeding sites is the most effective way to stop the spread. This means removing all stagnant water in and around your house and garden, including in and under pots, removing waste, clearing gutters, and regularly emptying pet water bowls (including after rain)
Avoid bites by wearing long, loose-fitting clothing
Find out about the diseases in your destination country or countries before you leave
Protect yourself against mosquitoes, particularly in areas where these diseases are circulating
On your return, continue to protect yourself against mosquito bites for three weeks to avoid transmitting disease via mosquitoes.
Dengue can often present without symptoms, but in some cases they can be severe. Consult a doctor and let them know you have been travelling, or been bitten by a mosquito, if you notice:
Joint and muscle pain
Headaches
Skin rash
Conjunctivitis
Fever
You can check which countries present a significant risk on the travel pages of the France Diplomatie website.
People can also help to track the spread of the mosquito.
If you believe you have seen a tiger mosquito in a department where it has not been reported, you can signal it via the dedicated portal here.
How do I know if I have been bitten?
Signs of a tiger mosquito bite include:
Itching very soon afterwards, which intensifies for several minutes after the bite
A spot that resembles a slightly flat blister measuring from 5mm to 2cm in diameter
The blister may appear a little lighter than the colour of the skin, with a red halo that may spread
The blister is generally quite hard, warm, and painful
The itching may come and go
If you believe you have been bitten and begin to experience symptoms of a virus (see above), consult a doctor as soon as possible.
