News as of September 27, 2012

Pink October: Continuing the Fight Against Breast Cancer In France, breast cancer remains the leading cause of cancer in women in terms of both new cases and mortality. However, when detected early, it can not only be cured in over 90% of cases but also treated with less aggressive therapies. Today, one in three women still does not get screened or does not do so regularly. That is why, once again this year, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and the National Cancer Institute (INCa), in partnership with the National Health Insurance (Cnamts), the Agricultural Social Mutual Fund (MSA), and the Social Security System for the Self-Employed (RSI), are launching the national awareness campaign Pink October: an information and communication initiative designed to encourage all women aged 50 to 74 to participate in organized breast cancer screening. This program allows women to receive high-quality screening every two years, fully covered by the National Health Insurance, with no out-of-pocket costs. More information: http://www.sante.gouv.fr/

Enhanced surveillance of chikungunya and dengue in Lot-et-Garonne In mainland France, confirmed cases (both locally acquired and imported) of chikungunya and dengue have been subject to mandatory reporting since April 2006. In departments where the Aedes albopictus mosquito (tiger mosquito) is established, a system for reporting and accelerated biological confirmation of suspected cases of chikungunya and dengue is in place during the mosquito’s active season (May 1 to November 30). This system enables rapid intervention by vector control services around suspected cases. It is combined with enhanced entomological surveillance. In Aquitaine, the department of Lot-et-Garonne has been affected since August 11.Procedure, reporting form for the regional health surveillance and emergency platform, and labels for sending samples to the CNR for arboviruses, available for download at: http://www.ars.aquitaine.sante.fr and http://www.invs.sante.fr

Update as of September 27, 2012: Since the start of enhanced surveillance in Lot-et-Garonne, 5 cases have been reported. To date, one case of dengue fever has been confirmed, imported from an endemic country.