– Tiger mosquito? What is it? answers Henriette Jæger when she is asked by news. UNKNOWN: Henriette Jæger knows little about the mosquitoes that have taken over Paris. Photo: Beate Oma Dahle / NTB On 26 July, it is ready for the opening ceremony during the Olympics in Paris. The tiger mosquito that has moved into the Olympic city means that Jæger and the other Norwegian athletes may be forced to take precautions. The mosquito can potentially transmit the viral disease dengue fever. – Symptoms of dengue fever can be pain in the head, muscles and joints, like other viral diseases. You feel miserable, says Elisabeth Astrup, doctor at FHI, department for infection control and preparedness. Astrup still says that only 3 out of 10 of those who get the virus develop symptoms. Can bring the virus to Paris – In Paris, the tiger mosquito has now established itself in some parts of the city, says medical entomologist Francis Schaffner on the phone from France. TIGER MOSQUITO: This crab can cause trouble during the Olympics. Photo: Folkehelseinstituttet There are no figures for cases of dengue fever in France so far this year, but there are already more cases than for the whole of 2023, says Schaffner. The tiger mosquito only transmits the virus when it has bitten a person with dengue fever. The fear is that tourists and Olympic travelers will bring the virus with them to Paris. The dengue virus is mainly widespread in Asia, South America and the Caribbean. Will increase throughout the summer – It is quite clear how much he has spread in France, says Sondre Dahle, biologist at the Norwegian Institute of Natural Sciences (NINA). He points to a map showing the development of the spread of tiger mosquitoes in Europe from 2017 to the present day. There you can clearly see how the area showing where the tiger mosquito has established itself (red) has moved north to Paris: Map of the spread of tiger mosquitoes in May 2024. Source: European Center for Disease Prevention and Control and European Food Safety Authority. Photo: ECDC/EFSA Map of distribution of tiger mosquitoes in April 2017. Source: European Center for Disease Prevention and Control and European Food Safety Authority. It is expected that the number of tiger mosquitoes in Paris will increase throughout the summer, where the peak is usually in September. – As of now, there is still a low risk of being infected in France, says the biologist. – Getting infected with dengue fever in a French city was a utopia before the arrival of the tiger mosquito. But now it is actually a reality. AFP Tiger mosquito Listed on the Norwegian alien species list under the high-risk category. This means that people are afraid that it will come to Norway. It is one of the top 100 invasive species in the world. AP Characteristic appearance The mosquito is small. The name “tiger mosquito” comes from its black and white pattern. – It’s a shame that it has to be so scary as a carrier, because I think it’s very pretty, says biologist Sondre Dahle at NINA. AFP Unusual mosquito The tiger mosquito thrives in cities. Unlike other mosquitoes, this one can be active in the sunshine during the day, and not just in the evening and at night. Source: Sondre Dahle, biologist at the Norwegian Institute for Natural Research (NINA). Considering mosquito tents Before the Olympics in Rio in 2016, there was an outbreak of the Zika virus. Back then, the tiger mosquito also had a lot to do with it. Then Karsten Warholm’s trainer Leif Olav Alnes had three mosquito tents with him. – It was not necessary to use them, but there was a lot of “fuzz”, he says. For the summer Olympics, Alnes is now wondering if he can now use them. – Maybe I have to go to the basement and look for the tent. I certainly didn’t throw them away, laughs Alnes. THINKS HE HAS A TENT: Leif Olav Alnes considers a trip to the basement to look for the mosquito tent from the Rio 2016 Olympics. Photo: Vidar Ruud / NTB Although there is a low risk of being infected, doctor Astrup recommends that the athletes in Paris take precautions . – It would be wise for them to think about mosquito protection, she says. PRECAUTIONS: Elisabeth Astrup, doctor at the department for infection control and preparedness at FHI, recommends following the travel advice for France on their websites. Photo: Marte Petrikke Grenersen She highlights covering the skin and using mosquito repellent with DEET as the most important measures. To Alne’s mosquito tent, she replies that it will help reduce the risk of infection, but the risk of infection is small. But even if the chance of infection is currently low, the consequences will be great if a Norwegian athlete contracts dengue fever. – The symptoms can be compared to the flu. Illness just before the Olympics will therefore have consequences, says Astrup. Measures are being taken Due to the increasing number of tiger mosquitoes and cases of dengue fever, Francis Schaffner says that measures are now being taken in Paris. – The authorities provide information to the public to reduce the breeding grounds for mosquitoes. FRENCH EXPERT: Francis Schaffner researches insects in France. Photo: Guy Hendricks He explains that water ponds around houses are an example of such a breeding ground. At the same time, action is taken when people get dengue fever. – The area where the case is discovered is monitored. If there are active mosquitoes there, a spray treatment will be carried out 150 meters around the house, says Schaffner. The Olympics in Paris will be held July 26–11. August. The Paralympics will take place on 28 August–8. September. Butcher Ronaldo’s unknown celebration: – No, no! 00:59 Throws up from the England drink: – Worse than expected 02:00 Cursed by the Lewandowski penalty: – Worst I know 00:57 Teammate is tackled – the reaction creates laughter: – A cartoon 01:05 Show more Published 04/07/2024 , at 18.15
ttn-69
Tiger mosquitoes in Paris can cause dengue fever during the Olympics – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule
