A case is considered “domestic” when a person has contracted the disease within the country
and has not traveled to an infected area within 15 days prior to the onset of symptoms.
As a reminder, dengue is transmitted from person to person through the bite of a
mosquito (the tiger mosquito, found in mainland France) infected with the dengue virus.

Field actions to stop the spread of the virus

Following the report of this first confirmed case of dengue to the ARS, management measures were immediately implemented to limit any risk of the virus spreading. Mosquito control operations are being carried out by the Interdepartmental Agreement for Mosquito Control on the Mediterranean Coast (EID) on public roads as well as in private gardens located near the places the affected person frequented.

The goal is to rapidly eliminate mosquitoes capable of transmitting the virus, as well as their breeding sites.

In addition, teams from the ARS and Santé publique France, supported by the City of Marseille, will conduct field investigations, including door-to-door
visits in the affected neighborhoods. These visits will help identify potential secondary
cases in the neighborhood, raise awareness among residents, and provide recommendations on
how to avoid mosquito bites and prevent their proliferation.

These efforts are complemented by enhanced awareness-raising among healthcare
professionals led by the ARS and Santé publique France. Healthcare facilities, private practitioners
, medical laboratories, and pharmacies in the area are being mobilized to
increase vigilance, facilitate the diagnosis of individuals exhibiting symptoms
suggestive of dengue, and remind the public of protective measures against mosquito bites.

Healthcare Professionals at the Heart of the Response

The detection of this first case illustrates the essential role of healthcare professionals in the fight
against dengue, chikungunya, and Zika. By quickly identifying patients with suggestive symptoms, ordering the appropriate laboratory tests, and immediately reporting confirmed cases to the ARS, they enable the immediate implementation of vector control measures and epidemiological investigations.

The ARS Paca calls on all physicians in the region to remain highly vigilant regarding any suspected cases of dengue, including in patients who have not traveled. The speed of diagnosis and reporting determines the effectiveness of the measures implemented to protect the population and prevent the emergence of new cases.

By changing their behavior, everyone can protect themselves and their loved ones by limiting the spread of the virus in the region.

Protecting Yourself from Mosquito Bites

It is recommended that you:

• apply a skin repellent, especially in the morning and at the end of the day;
• set up mosquito nets for newborns or bedridden individuals;
• wear loose-fitting, covering clothing. Insect-repellent bracelets, essential oils, ultrasonic devices, ribbons, sticky paper, and adhesive stickers—whose effectiveness has not been proven—are not recommended.

Consult your primary care physician immediately if you experience symptoms suggestive of the disease (especially after visiting an area or neighborhood where the viruses are circulating): high fever, joint or muscle pain, fatigue, headache, or a rash.

If you have symptoms, protection against mosquito bites is essential. This is because an infected person can transmit the virus to mosquitoes for up to 7 days after the onset of symptoms (even if the symptoms have disappeared).

Limit your movements if you have symptoms

During this 7-day period, a mosquito bite can transmit the virus present in your blood to the mosquito and contribute to the spread of the disease to new areas. To prevent the spread of the virus and protect those around you, it is therefore recommended that you limit your travel for 7 days after symptoms appear.

Prevent mosquito breeding

Eliminate standing water where mosquitoes lay eggs and breed:

• empty plant saucers and anything else that holds small amounts of water (garden furniture, tarps, etc.) at least once a week;
• store anything that can hold water (children’s toys, buckets, watering cans) out of the rain;
• seal water storage containers tightly or cover them with a mosquito net.

Learn more:

• Tiger Mosquitoes and Vector Control—ARS Paca
• Interdepartmental Agreement for Mosquito Control on the Mediterranean Coast