Abstract
In October 2013, autochthonous dengue fever was diagnosed in a laboratory technician in Bouches-du-Rhone, southern France, a department colonised by Aedes albopictus since 2010. After ruling out occupational contamination, we identified the likely chain of local vector-borne transmission from which the autochthonous case arose. Though limited, this second occurrence of autochthonous dengue transmission in France highlights that efforts should be continued to rapidly detect dengue virus introduction and prevent its further dissemination in France.
Highlights
Infection with DENV – a member of the family Flaviviridae, genus Flavivirus – leading to dengue haemorrhagic fever and shock syndrome, is responsible for substantial morbidity and mortality in populations living in the tropics and among travellers to theseImported casea Autchtonous caseInformation to RHA and EID for mosquito control Serum 1 Symptom onsetNRL result negativeEID entomological investigation negativeDermatologist visit Serum 2 sent to NRLHospital emergency 17–18 Serum 1NRL result positive Information to RHASerum 3 for control
Under the hypothesis of local vector-borne transmission, two places were chosen for identifying primary or secondary cases of DENV infection and for conducting immediate control measures: the autochthonous case’s home, where she stayed while viraemic, and her place of work close to which eggs of Ae. albopictus had been detected in September
Neither tested positive for DENV by real-time RT-PCR or serology
Summary
DENV: dengue virus; EID: Entente Interdépartementale pour la Démoustification du littoral Méditerranéen; ELISA: enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; ND: not done; NLR: National Reference Laboratory for arboviruses; RHA: regional health agency ; RT-PCR: reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. In the areas and period of vector activity, physicians and laboratories are asked to immediately notify suspected imported cases to the local health authorities and to send blood samples directly to the NRL for laboratory confirmation. Under the hypothesis of local vector-borne transmission, two places were chosen for identifying primary or secondary cases of DENV infection and for conducting immediate control measures: the autochthonous case’s home, where she stayed while viraemic, and her place of work close to which eggs of Ae. albopictus had been detected in September. Neither tested positive for DENV by real-time RT-PCR or serology
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