First cases of autochthonous dengue fever and chikungunya fever in France: from bad dream to reality!

摘要: Following the outbreak of autochthonous chikungunya fever in humans northern Italy, first reported 3 years ago (1) we have now witnessed two independent cases transmission dengue and south-eastern France during September 2010. This worrying trend has raised serious concern among health authorities, as Aedes albopictus, Asian 'tiger mosquito', is most likely vector both viruses, this mosquito species known to be spreading widely throughout many regions southern Europe. The occurred patients (a 64-year-old male an 18-year- old male) living Nice same neighbourhood know- ing each other. 12-year-old female also vicinity other Frejus, attending high school. Both pre- sented with fever, headache, lombalgia arthralgia. These lived unique laboratory-documented imported case county, affecting a 7-year-old patient returning from Asia. All four resulted mild, self-resolving infections. virological identification these arbo- viral disease, no travel history, within recorded area dissemination A. along 180-km region Mediterranean coast Menton Toulon (2): (i) demonstrates trans- mission viruses (dengue chikungunya) France; (ii) implies that which resident region, competent for virus (http:// www.sante-sports.gouv.fr/apparition-des-premiers-cas-auto chtones-de-dengue-en-france-metropolitaine.html); (iii) raises important issues resolved time next 'mosquito season', namely adaptation surveillance systems implementation countermeasures limit dispersal number human or fever. How alarmed should Europe? Imported long been infected viraemic travellers (3) tropical where are endemic transiently epi- demic. Indeed, ranks second only malar- ial parasite agent systemic febrile illness tropics who Europe (4). However, past 5-10 years, perceived risk infection Europe, particularly arboviruses, increased. because was not previously present at sufficient density able initiate generate secondary populations. With establishment amplification albopictus France, epidemics caused by emerging arboviruses increased dramati- cally. Consequently, attempt prevent monitor appearance cases, French authori- ties elaborated programme targeting summer period activity (http://www.circulaires.gouv.fr/pdf/2010/05/cir_