REPORTAGE
In Martinique, the coronavirus epidemic is on the rise again, but not only. The population must also fight against the dengue epidemic. More than 10,000 cases have been identified since November and two deaths recorded. To stop the spread of the virus, mosquito control teams go from neighborhood to neighborhood with two missions: to identify cases of dengue fever and to tour houses giving recommendations for driving away the famous Aedes aegypti mosquito.
>> LIVE - Coronavirus: follow the evolution of the situation Sunday, August 30
Pain, fever and delusions
The mosquito control teams went to Elisabeth's house, where there was already a case of dengue two weeks ago, causing pain, fever and delirium. Between dengue and coronavirus, the mother is very distressed. "Things will accelerate. It scares me. Dengue is as serious as Covid", she worries. "You can't see the mosquito. If you turn off the light without seeing it, it then circulates throughout the house", continues Elisabeth.
>> READ ALSO - Dengue epidemic in Martinique: major cleaning of the island
30% of teams mobilized during confinement
A little further on, the teams visit Bertrand's garden, which shows them all his efforts to eliminate mosquito larvae. "It's the health actions that count," he insists. In addition to health instructions, prevention is also very important. But during confinement, only 30% of mosquito control teams were mobilized, on limited actions. As of August, the number of Covid-19 and dengue fever cases are on the rise.