Mosquito-borne viral disease, Chikungunya, struck Paris just days before the world’s biggest sporting event – the Olympics.
Almost one week before the Paris Olympics began, one person reportedly caught the viral disease locally, resulting in increased fears that a possible outbreak could impact the mega-sporting event.
France was well aware of such an outbreak, which urged them to launch a “dengue detective” force in June and eliminate dangerous mosquitoes that could have impacted more than 15 million tourists traveling to the country for the Paris Olympics.
The same situation happened last year when Paris authorities sprayed most parts of the city after multiple people contracted the disease.
Chikungunya is usually a non-fatal disease, but the patient can suffer from extreme fever, headache, and weakness. On the other hand, dengue is a relatively more dangerous disease as it can drastically reduce the blood platelets of the patients within hours, which can even result in death.
Female mosquitoes, namely Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti, are primarily responsible for both Chikungunya and dengue.
Some experts believe that climate change is the reason behind the arrival of Aedes albopictus, also known as the “tiger mosquito,” in Europe, while others suggest that increased trade and more international travel are contributing to the mobilization of this species in different parts of the world.
The tiger mosquito is usually present in Southeast Asia but has now been found in multiple European countries, including Austria, Greece, Spain, France, Bulgaria, Germany, Slovenia, Malta, Romania, Croatia, and Portugal.
Dr. Rachel Ward advised people to cover themselves up, particularly at dawn and dusk, as mosquitoes are mostly active during this time of the day. She also noted that any body part that is not covered should be protected by insect repellent containing DEET, which is a chemical well-known for keeping bugs at bay.
The doctor also suggested that mosquitos should not be allowed within the homes and recommended insecticide plugs for getting rid of the troubling species.
According to Ward, mosquito bites in Europe are mostly not dangerous, but they can still cause temporary illness in the impacted people. She asked people traveling to mosquito-prone regions to take special measures in order to avoid potential health hazards.
