When we wrote a while back about our local mosquitos we said that although they could turn a pleasant evening into some hours of itchy discomfort they didn't carry disease. That's no longer certain. Both in the Alpes-Maritimes and the Var there have been increasing sightings of the unwelcome "tiger mosquito" which can carry the virus for the disease known as chikungunya, nasty and sometimes fatal. At first it was believed that the specimens identified here were not vectors of the virus but now health authorities believe it is only a matter of time before the first cases of the disease occur in the region. The mosquito is believed to have come in from northern Italy where already some 200 people have contracted chikungunya. One precaution to take: make sure there's no stagnant water in the garden.

For further information call 0800 740 606 (Kevin Berry tells us they have people who can speak English).

From Riviera Reporter issue 124 -  Dec 2007/Jan 2008

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