© Pixabay – Mosquitoes as a vector of arbovirus, monitored by Misarbo, the new biosurveillance device in Occitania.
Faced with the lasting implementation of Tiger mosquito in mainland France and the resurgence of diseases as dengue ou is chikununya, Health authorities must now deal with a new reality: monitoring vector pathologies formerly limited to tropical regions.
In Occitanie, particularly exposed, several cases of virus of western Nile have been identified in recent years, both in humans and in animals. A phenomenon that global warming could accentuate, by promoting the dissemination of these viruses.
To better anticipate these emerging health risks, the Occitanie and Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole region launch Misarbo, an innovative system of biosurveillance territoriale, unpublished nationally.
Early monitoring of the proliferation of mosquitoes
Misarbo (innovative arbovirus monitoring methodology) focuses on early detection via targeted environmental analyzes. By scanning the reproduction sites of mosquitoes, stagnant waters, wetlands and wastewater, researchers track down genetic traces of viruses before their transmission to humans or animals. Charles Tizon, PDG d’Altopictus, souligne : “Early detection allows targeted intervention, improving the fight and significantly reducing health and financial impacts.”
Carried by the Montpellier company Iage, expert in Ultrasensible molecular detection, The project is based on Inserm’s expertise via its PCCEI infectiology unit, as well as on the technical support of Altopictus, specialist in entomological surveillance.
A pilot phase in Occitania to monitor and trap mosquitoes
During a pilot phase in 2024, carried out in 11 municipalities of Occitanie, Project partners have carried out Regular samples in the waters larval lodges and risk areas, while installing mosquito traps. The analyzes made it possible to detect the presence of the Western Nile virus several weeks before the appearance of clinical cases. These results confirm the key role of environmental biosurveillance to anticipate epidemics.
This method offers authorities the possibility of reacting in a targeted way: informer la population, strengthen medical surveillance, or launch operations demoustication precise, thus avoiding costly and less effective interventions. “”Population biosecurity is a pillar of urban resilience that we defend. Fighting epidemics is also preserving the quality of life and the attractiveness of our territory “underlines Michaël Delafosse, president of Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole.
Mosquitoes: Misarbo: a local innovation in the service of global health
By integrating Misarbo into its Medvallée ecosystem, the Montpellier metropolis adopts a global health approach, connecting human, animal and environmental health. This biosurveillance program illustrates the local ability to transform a scientific innovation into a concrete tool at the service of populations.
Selected within the framework of the Call for Projects Regionalized France 2030, Misarbo benefits from national recognition and opens the way to the generalization of this type of surveillance in other regions exposed to the same vector risks.
