Dengue: record cases imported into France since early 2024, even before the Olympic Games

The annual record is in danger of being broken. Since the start of 2024, mainland France has seen an unprecedented number of imported cases of dengue fever, nearly 1,700, in an “unprecedented” situation that requires redoubled vigilance, especially with the Olympic Games in mind, health authorities say. warned on Tuesday.

“Since January 1, 2024, there have been 1,679 cases of dengue fever imported into mainland France, compared with 131 cases in 2023 over the same period,” Director-General of Health Dr. Gregory Emery told a press conference, according to which “We are faced with unprecedented situation.”

These imported cases involve people who have traveled to regions of the world, particularly the French West Indies (Guadeloupe and Martinique), where this virus, transmitted by tiger mosquitoes (Aedes albopictus), circulates endemicly. “What we are seeing in France is a mirror of what is happening in the Antilles and more broadly in the Latin American and Caribbean region,” where dengue fever has been circulating since the beginning of the year “at levels never before reached.” noted the Director General of Public Health of France, Dr. Caroline Semail.

“Very few children”

Since mid-2023, the majority of dengue cases imported into mainland France have been people returning from the French West Indies, she said. “Almost 20% of people are over 65” and “fortunately very few children,” she said. Even before the Olympics, which will contribute to the mixing of populations in the middle of the tiger mosquito season, 2024 promises to break the 2023 record for the number of dengue importations into mainland France (2019).

Since “a significant number of imported cases could lead to the creation of local chains of transmission in France”, the director general of health urged “to be vigilant and take the right measures to limit the spread of the tiger mosquito” by, for example, eliminating stagnant water and avoiding bites. Prevention messages are “all the more important because in the next few weeks France will host an important, happy and positive event: the Olympic and Paralympic Games, which will bring many travelers to the capital territory,” warned Gregory Emery.