27-09-2010-
Due to the extremely favourable weather conditions this year for the propagation of mosquitoes, the Aedes Albopictus known as the “Asian tiger mosquito”, which carries the dengue fever and chikungunya virus, has established itself in the Principality of Monaco, as it has in all the departments along the French Mediterranean coast.
The Government of Monaco has therefore implemented a national plan to control this pest.
Other than the recommendations given in the press to discard any stagnant water (including water collected in plant containers and pots), control measures against the mosquito also involve the elimination of the larvae.
Since the beginning of April 2010, the Department of Urban Planning has been regularly spraying a product containing a bacterium which specifically destroys the larvae in all public gardens and water expanses where mosquito larvae may develop. It has also been using an effective insecticide to eliminate the adult mosquito.
The Department is attentive to public concern and has intensified mosquito control measures in some areas where nuisance caused by this mosquito is high.
Following the first two cases of non-imported dengue fever in mainland France, reported in Nice, the Government of Monaco has decided, on the recommendation of the Department of Social Affairs and Health, to increase mosquito eradication measures throughout the territory and in particular in Monaco Ville and the Condamine district, where the highest number of complaints by residents have been registered.
In addition, the Government has just signed an agreement with the “Entente Interdépartementale pour la Démoustication du littoral méditerranéen” (EID Méditerranée) in Montpellier, to carry out specific and targeted mosquito control operations, should they be deemed necessary, based on a case potentially being found in the Principality, so as to avoid any risk of contagion.
Although the risk of the development of an epidemic is considered limited and the first spell of cold weather will eliminate this mosquito, the Government of Monaco was eager to take immediate action, by applying the precautionary principle.
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