Lyon (AFP)
A case of indigenous dengue, contracted in France by a person who has not traveled recently abroad, was reported in Caluire-et-Cuire, near Lyon, announced Monday the Regional Agency for Health (ARS) of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and the prefecture.
This is the "first known case in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region", assured the ARS and the prefecture in a joint statement, stating that the person infected with the virus was "cured".
Several cases of autochthonous dengue have been reported in France in recent years.
Health authorities speak of an "indigenous" case when a person has contracted the disease without having, in the previous 15 days, traveled to an area where the virus is circulating.
Dengue fever is not transmitted directly from person to person but through a tiger mosquito bite.
The tiger mosquito, which can also transmit chikungunya and zika, is implanted in more than half of the departments in France, including Paris.
Dengue fever results in high fever, joint pain and fatigue. In a small percentage of cases, it can be fatal if it takes a hemorrhagic form or is carried on vital organs.
An epidemiological survey, on the basis of a questionnaire, will be conducted on Tuesday and Wednesday among the inhabitants located near the place of life of the person who has been infected in order to put in place "if necessary, adapted mosquito control measures", add the ARS and the prefecture.
The authorities recall that to fight against the proliferation of tiger mosquitoes, the nesting and resting places of this insect must be eliminated by avoiding stagnant water in outdoor areas.
© 2019 AFP