In the French West Indies, dengue circulates through an endemic-epidemic transmission pattern, with seasonal intensity varying from year to year. Throughout the year, it is monitored by Santé publique France Antilles, which publishes regular updates on the dengue situation in these territories. For several weeks now, the circulation of the dengue virus has been intensifying in Martinique and Guadeloupe, with an increasing number of reported cases. The Technical Committees for Dengue Monitoring in Guadeloupe and Martinique met on August 17, 2023, and concluded that the epidemiological situation regarding dengue in these two territories now corresponds to an epidemic phase.

The current situation requires vigilance and the implementation of preventive measures for residents of the French West Indies as well as travelers, upon arrival or return from a trip.

The dengue virus continues to spread in the Caribbean

In Guadeloupe, the spread of the virus continues to intensify across the archipelago and is particularly active in the municipalities of Saint-François and Trois-Rivières. Emergency room visits for dengue syndrome are on the rise.

In Martinique, the spread of the dengue virus is intensifying throughout the territory, and hospital indicators—particularly emergency room visits for dengue syndrome—are on the rise.

The DENV-2 serotype has been identified in the majority of cases investigated in Martinique and Guadeloupe.

In mainland France, these outbreaks have resulted in a significant number of “imported” dengue cases, involving recent travel to Martinique and Guadeloupe (more than 50% of reported dengue cases among travelers). These “imported” cases may trigger transmission episodes. As a result, since 2010, dengue transmission episodes in mainland France have been regularly identified. Four of these episodes originated from a case returning from the Caribbean. There have been a total of 28 dengue transmission episodes in mainland France, representing a total of 114 cases of dengue contracted in mainland France since 2010, including 66 cases in 2022.

How to Avoid Infection: Precautions to Take

The infection is transmitted by an infected mosquito (which has previously fed on the blood of an infected person) that can, through another bite, transmit the virus to a new person.

To protect yourself and avoid being bitten by mosquitoes in areas where dengue cases have been reported, the best precautions to take are:

Prevent mosquito breeding

• Eliminate standing water

• Change the water in flower vases twice a week

• Cover barrels and water storage containers with mosquito netting

• Clean gutters regularly

• Remove objects that can collect rainwater in and around the house

Protect yourself from mosquito bites

• Wear long sleeves and pants

• Sleep under an insecticide-treated mosquito net

• Use topical mosquito repellents: creams or lotions that, depending on the brand, keep mosquitoes away for 6 to 12 hours. Special care must be taken with the products used on young children and pregnant women. If using sunscreen, the repellent should be applied at least 20 minutes after applying the sunscreen. Consult your pharmacist.

  • Apply to the entire body

  • Avoid the face and hands

  • Apply generously to the ankles and feet

• Use mosquito repellents other than topical ones: electric insecticide diffusers, coils, candles, and racket-type repellents.

These precautions should be continued and reinforced, particularly for people with dengue fever and those living near patients.

Video - Dengue: What to Do

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Precautions to Take When Traveling to or Returning from the Caribbean

In mainland France, the Aedes albopictus mosquito (commonly known as the "tiger mosquito") is also a vector for dengue fever. Now established in 71 departments, this mosquito may transmit the disease to those around you if it bites you while you are carrying dengue fever upon your return from travel.

Therefore, for 15 days after returning from a region where dengue cases have been reported, it is recommended that you:

• continue to protect yourself against mosquito bites to prevent an Aedes mosquito from biting you and, in turn, becoming infected with the dengue virus (wear long clothing, use repellents, etc.). It could then transmit the virus to others through a bite;

• to see a doctor if you experience fever, headache, joint and/or muscle pain, extreme fatigue, or a rash, and to tell the doctor which regions you are returning from.

Posters and video spots for travelers coming from or returning to areas at risk for dengue

• You are traveling to a region where cases of Chikungunya, Dengue, or Zika have been reported

• You are returning from a region where cases of Chikungunya, Dengue, or Zika have been reported

Joint and coordinated efforts to slow the spread of the dengue virus

Coordinated action by multiple complementary stakeholders, particularly in the fields of epidemiology, entomology, mosquito control, clinical practice, biology, and public communication, contributes to the fight against dengue.

The ongoing epidemiological surveillance conducted by Santé publique France Antilles guides the implementation of dengue surveillance and control strategies outlined in the Dengue Surveillance, Alert, and Epidemic Management Program (Psage dengue) specific to each region.

Joint public health actions by mosquito control services and epidemiological surveillance services aim to limit the proliferation of the Aedes aegypti mosquito, thereby slowing the circulation of the dengue virus and the spread of the disease.