we tell you everything about the mosquito hunt planned for this Tuesday evening in Blagnac
Around 11 p.m., a treatment will take place against mosquitoes around the Saint-Pierre church in Blagnac (Haute-Garonne). It was the Regional Health Agency of Occitanie that pushed this intervention after the discovery of a case of dengue fever. We explain the reason for this operation, how it takes place and how much it costs.
An operation like no other takes place around 11 p.m., this Tuesday evening, September 6, in the heart of Blagnac, within a radius of 150 meters around the Saint-Pierre church, a stone’s throw from the town hall.
Agents of the Altopictus company will carry out mosquito control as a preventive measure after the discovery of a case of dengue fever on September 2, a few days after another case, an indigenous one, noted in Haute-Garonne.
This exceptional mosquito control operation was requested by the Regional Health Agency (ARS), the only decision-making body in this type of situation. “As soon as a case of disease transmitted by the insect is noted – in particular by a general practitioner – the Regional Health Agency of Occitanie activates the protocol”, says Jean-Sébastien Dehecq, sanitary engineer from the ARS.
Because it is for health reasons that this intervention takes place and not to eradicate all mosquitoes as some locals imagined. They were warned before this intervention as well as certain associations of beekeepers and fishermen.
“This is not a trivial operation. It is carried out to counter dengue fever which can become serious“Warns Camille Mayzoue, deputy mayor of Blagnac in charge of the environment. She affirms it:”spraying this kind of product is not dangerous for humans, but it is for biodiversity“. It is for this reason that the broadcast area is targetedin order to avoid touching the surrounding fauna and flora as much as possible, as shown in this preliminary study.
Only one insecticide is authorized in France to fight against mosquitoes: Deltamethrin. “This treatment poses no danger to humans and warm-blooded animals, specifies Jean-Sébastien Dehecq of the ARS of Occitanie. However, it is toxic to aquatic fauna. Hence the consultation with the fishermen. We cannot treat next to wetlands, nor within 25 meters of a water point.”
In the case of Blagnac, the report was made on Friday September 2, 2022. A study is immediately carried out in order to trace the course of the infected person. It is necessary to identify the accesses to the residences, to the dwellings, the places which can pose a problem.
On Monday, the populations concerned received an explanation in their mailbox. They are informed of the day and time of the intervention, the noise pollution produced and the precautions to be taken: do not hang out the laundry, bring the animals in, do not leave the windows open or even rinse the vegetables and the outdoor furniture after the ‘operation.
In Blagnac, this operation will take place at night, when all the shops will be closed, certainly after midnight. It should last between 1/4 hour and 1/2 hour.
It will take place in 2 stages. “It is first of all a spraying on foot around the place in question to intervene as close as possible”, says Jean-Sébastien Dehecq. The same pyrethroid product is also administered from a pick-up type vehicle with a large sprayer. It’s a little noisy but it allows you to create a big cloud of product which will then diffuse and disperse in the atmosphere. The operation is carried out at night, you must wait at least 30 minutes before entering the area.”
Cost of the operation according to ARS Occitanie: €1,000 if the contamination concerns a single person. You can go up to €25,000 if there are 25, as happened in the Hautes-Pyrénées. It is therefore free for local authorities.
The town hall communicated on its social networks and municipal agents intervened with the restaurateurs so that they cleared their terrace this evening and cleaned the next day.
It prevents, mosquitoes are still lurking in some places : “we get eaten everywhere!“Plague Charles, living on Boulevard Jean Rivet, perpendicular to the church square. So even if this operation is not intended to eradicate these critters, Charles used the hard way: he equipped himself with an anti -mosquitoes.”These beasts are there from morning to night, I had to equip myself“he adds.
A little further, we find Marco. “I’m not going to sleep here tonight. We’re not really afraid of the product, but sleeping with the window closed in this heat… I prefer to go to Ariège and I’ll come back tomorrow.” His cat will not be on the trip but he will remain locked up in the house.
His neighbor Brigitte also agrees with this preventive measure. “In the street there are not many mosquitoes but I have a house a little further and everyone is attacked. But you know, I lived for a long time in the Dom-Tom and I know what it’s just dengue fever. It’s still quieter here!”
This year, the department of Haute-Garonne is the one where there have been the most mosquito control operations in Occitania. Between 110 and 120 operations of this kind take place every year in the region, of which a third are in Haute-Garonne.
They do not eradicate mosquito bites but prevent the spread of the disease. The insect pond in the water and it would therefore be necessary to treat the water points to reduce these nuisances.
If you want to avoid the ordeal of itching, do not leave containers filled with water after a storm, no stagnant water. Small tricks: you can prevent the larvae from turning into mosquitoes in ponds and wet areas by putting a pinch of coarse salt or spreading a teaspoon of oil.