This Thursday afternoon, the city of Nice installed a new breeding trap against mosquitoes at the Saint-Isidore school. The chikungunya virus continues to spread in the department. The city of Nice remains vigilant in facing this situation.
For several weeks now, the tiger mosquito has returned to the Côte d’Azur. Although the Antibes area is the main sector concerned, the city of Nice remains vigilant about the situation’s evolution. Indeed, some current mosquitoes carry dengue and others carry chikungunya. To prevent this spread, the Nice city council is working closely with the university hospital center. “This is a subject we have been addressing for three years,” says Christian Estrosi.
The mayor of Nice was present to install this trap in the Saint-Isidore school. On Wednesday evening, a report was made by a student’s mother concerning a significant presence of mosquitoes. After placing the first trap at the Gorbella bowling green, a second one was set up in the parking area next to the elementary school.
But how are mosquitoes attracted? It’s a passive trap, with a small water reservoir that lures them to try to breed. An adhesive strip prevents them from leaving, thus capturing them. Every two weeks, the trap is cleaned. This allows for counting the number of mosquitoes captured. It’s a simple and effective technique that poses no danger to the health of children.
70 mosquito traps since last June
Since last June, the city of Nice has implemented 66 breeding traps at various locations in the city. A mosquito control plan that requires citizen support. With “Allo Mairies,” you can report the presence of mosquitoes. An analysis will be conducted to determine if intervention and the installation of a breeding trap is necessary. These traps are low-cost, ranging from 25 to 30 euros each.
Additionally, there are four “innovative traps.” They are more sophisticated, notably due to the release of CO2, a component that greatly attracts mosquitoes. The gardens at Arènes de Cimiez are involved with one of these traps. According to the mayor of Nice, residents “report seeing no mosquitoes this year” in their neighborhood.
500 cases of chikungunya in France
This fight does not rely only on these mosquito traps. Christian Estrosi announced the implementation of a fight plan, following a local health council that took place on Thursday. A weekly wastewater analysis, a scientific analysis based on monitoring for a period of five months, a thesis under the supervision of Dr. Pascal Delaunay, and treatment of larval habitats every two weeks. An anti-mosquito brigade will also be established. The possibility of conducting surveillance with drones for stagnant water puddles is being considered.
This system aims to combat primarily against chikungunya, dengue, and Zika. To date, the Ministry of Health reports 500 cases of chikungunya in France. The Alpes-Maritimes are particularly affected, with 140 people affected.
