Key Development

Dengue and Chikungunya: Enhanced Health Surveillance in Haute-Garonne from May 1 to November 30 The Aedes albopictus mosquito, or tiger mosquito, has been established in the Haute-Garonne department since 2012. This mosquito is known to be a potential vector for diseases such as Chikungunya and Dengue. Chikungunya and dengue are reportable diseases that must be reported throughout mainland France using the appropriate notification form. However, in certain departments of mainland France where the tiger mosquito is established, such as Haute-Garonne, an enhanced health surveillance system for dengue and Chikungunya cases has been implemented to detect suspected cases returning from endemic areas earlier and to quickly implement management measures to prevent the emergence of new cases.This enhanced surveillance has been in place in Haute-Garonne since 2013, every year from May 1 to November 30, by the Midi-Pyrénées Regional Health Agency (ARS), in conjunction with the regional unit of the French Institute for Public Health Surveillance (InVS) (Cire), and in close collaboration with healthcare providers and laboratories. Last year, 45 reports were submitted to the ARS Midi-Pyrénées: 27 cases tested positive for dengue, and there were no confirmed cases of chikungunya. With a chikungunya epidemic currently raging in the Caribbean, a significant number of imported cases is expected in mainland France.