Key Points

Vector-borne diseases: Following the confirmation of two locally acquired cases of dengue on August 19, 2015, in two individuals residing in the same household in Nîmes, an active case-finding effort was organized. As a result, there are now 5 confirmed cases of dengue fever, all of whom frequented the same neighborhood and experienced symptoms beginning between August 8 and 18. No new cases have been identified since the implementation of vector control measures.The Gard department has therefore been placed at Level 3 of the chikungunya/dengue containment plan. Each report is subject to investigation to guide control measures. For this reason, targeted vector control operations were carried out in this area to eliminate mosquitoes and their larvae.Residents have been educated on simple measures to limit the proliferation of the tiger mosquito, a vector of dengue and chikungunya, and healthcare professionals have received information to remind them to seek a diagnosis of dengue for patients presenting with compatible symptoms and for whom no other diagnosis has been made, including patients who have not traveled. In addition, testing for both dengue and chikungunya must be routinely requested whenever dengue and/or chikungunya is suspected. In Languedoc-Roussillon, 172 reports of suspected cases of chikungunya and/or dengue have been received since May 1, 2015. Nine imported cases of dengue and two imported cases of chikungunya have been confirmed (all acquired during travel to an endemic area). Five locally acquired cases of dengue have therefore been reported. All other cases tested negative.

West Nile: On September 4, the detection of two horses testing positive for the West Nile virus in the Camargue was confirmed. This vector-borne disease, whose reservoir consists of birds, can occasionally affect equines and humans bitten by infected mosquitoes. Enhanced surveillance of suspected human cases has been organized: at this stage, no human cases have been identified.