Science defies mosquitoes: “Anticipate the presence of viruses to limit human cases”

Specializing in environmental DNA analyzes, the Montpellier company Iage has developed a protocol developing low virus concentrations. However, To treat the lodges containing traces of dengue, Chikungunya, Usutu … However, The news catches up with three recent suspicious cases of Chikungunya in Castries. Moreover, near Montpellier…

It is not a question of reading in the coffee grounds! In 2020. Moreover, the Iage company had struck a big blow by proposing a scientific method to anticipate a rebound in the covid epidemic, just by analyzing wastewater, As said to you here. “Since the health crisis. Furthermore, we have responded to a call for tenders from the Directorate General of Health, managed by Public Health France. Meanwhile, We are working with them on the epidemiological surveillance of the COVIR”. Moreover, Extended Olivier Courot, scientific director of Iage (engineering and science defies mosquitoes: “anticipate presence analysis in environmental genetics).

Molecular analysis of environmental DNA – Science defies mosquitoes: "anticipate presence

The IAGE company implements molecular analysis protocols of environmental DNA by digital PCR. Similarly, a rupture technology making it possible to identify viral traces in very low concentration in stagnant waters or trapped mosquitoes, for “Anticipate the presence of viruses and limit human cases”.

It is the same Montpellier company which also proposed a “Revolutionary detection”Against the massive oyster losses attacked by a. Moreover, virulent herpes. Consequently, And fight early against these pathogens thanks to phages, specific bacteria, as Tell them also explained it to you here. But the latter only remained in the draft science defies mosquitoes: “anticipate presence state. For example, “Oyster farmers did not wish to set up an early monitoring system for mortality for cost issues” (1). Consequently, explains Olivier Courot, scientific director of Iage confident to have an ongoing project “With Ifremer on the monitoring of toxic phytoplankton in the Thau pond which poses problems in human health”. Nevertheless,

Bores, virus monitorial – Science defies mosquitoes: "anticipate presence

This time. Similarly, it is a question of using the same principle “recognized”To detect (2), there too, viruses: those conveyed by the well -of -our -house mosquito, that of the marshes, science defies mosquitoes: “anticipate presence (Pipiens culens) as much as those of the famous“ tiger ”. Similarly, The two harmful species can transmit serious illnesses: dengue, virus monit, Zika, the encephalitis of Saint-Louis, etc. Moreover, Even deadly.

The purpose of these scientists is to anticipate even before it causes human cases. Furthermore, Nothing magic in all of this: Olivier Courot. Nevertheless, scientific director of Iage, explains the principle of this method called Misarbo (innovative arbovirus surveillance methodology), deployed in the region for the second year and benefits from funding from the Occitanie region (€ 500,000 over 36 months), the specialized ecosystem Medvallée and funded by the BPI, public investment bank.

Follow -up, samples, fight against viruses

Misarbo is inspired by the monitoring of the covid in wastewater. Meanwhile, But. For example, this time, in addition to wastewater, we are interested in larval lodges and mosquito traps to detect the presence of viruses as soon as science defies mosquitoes: “anticipate presence possible and trigger the most targeted treatments. Therefore, Olivier Courot details: “We regularly think with our partners to find out where it is relevant to make samples taken during two tours per month in wetlands and where there are bird lodges. This is basic surveillance. At the same time. we have implemented an optimization of the management strategies for indigenous cases; this is what we do in Castries at this time when there has been a home for ten days. to best control the control strategy with analyzes in 24 hours. ”

Current demoustication – made by Altopictus – is very standardized: it is practiced 300 meters around the identified hearth. From now on, it is accompanied by the laying of traps. “We are brought them with water samples, therefore: which allows us to know more precisely where there are real risks. This field work is Done by one of the three project partners, the company Altopictus which is commissioned by the ARS ” For, for example, “clean” mosquito centers in the BTI. The University of Montpellier and its PCCEI unit are also partners.

Better anticipating Aboriginal cases

From there. the data go back to the ARS (Regional Health Agency) which can quickly refine and adapt its fight in the field and focus faster on a specific area to prevent there to be (too much). Regarding the science defies mosquitoes: “anticipate presence “tiger” and the diseases it conveys, this surveillance allows to better anticipate indigenous cases. “We are also mobilized in the region on West Nile and Usutu viruses, conveyed by Culex Pipiens, specifies Olivier Courot. What we go back up is that there are lessons to be learned from Spain. Italy: for years that these viruses and mosquitoes have been present there. Their density has increased and, mathematically, the number of human cases will be plus important.”

Without this method, the approach is very different. Validating the presence of a home can take a long time. And make the right science defies mosquitoes: “anticipate presence decision by the authorities can be random: “Take the case-without applying our method-of an infected people-abroad. in France. She will see her doctor. If her doctor is well aware of the diseases conveyed by mosquitoes. he will start a request for diagnosis of arbovirus-it must be sought to find it. If it is positive, it must then be sent to the National Reference Center for Confirmation. of the case, imported or indigenous. ” And. during this period of time, the epidemic can extend from a home not yet treated because the decision -making chain takes time.

Three new suspicious cases of Chikungunya in Castries

This Misarbo project intervenes that three new suspicious cases of chikungunya were uncovered in a town. near Montpellier, Castries, considered as a fortnight ago. “A home of contamination”. It is now considered an active homes in Aboriginal transmission. Since then, health authorities have been intensifying surveillance. These three suspect cases are added to three recent episodes of indigenous transmission in the region. A first case. which occurred in Prades-le-Lez (Hérault) at the end of May, which had been isolated, an episode today closed, According to the Bulletin of July 17, 2025 in public health France.

Another case had been identified in Bernis in the Gard in early June. The origin of this infection has been traced: it comes science defies mosquitoes: “anticipate presence from a traveler returned from Reunion Island. On July 2. 2025, finally, an indigenous case had been confirmed in Saint-Brès, again in Hérault, with a suspicion of contamination in the Castries area, already. This case remains without identified source.

Solicited for expertise by the Ministry of Health. the National Food Safety Agency (ANSES) estimated, in September 2024, that there is “Risks of saturation of the struggle or health tension” While the tiger mosquito is now present in 78 departments of France and strongly anchored in Occitanie. And claimed that “The probability of appearance of epidemics is quite high within five years”.

For Olivier Courot “This method may apply in the future to similar health issues. It could be applied to seasonal epidemics such as gastroenteritis. For the moment, they are not anticipated ”.

Olivier Schlama

• (1) On this subject, Patrice Lafont, Chairman of the science defies mosquitoes: “anticipate presence Conchylical Mediterranean Committee explains that “Herpes is present all year round in the world with an oyster mortality from May to November. This method does not bring us anything special to limit the mortality of oysters”.

• (2) For his part. Olivier Courot, specifies: “Our laboratory is the first to have obtained the ISO 17025 accreditation for virus analysis in wastewater by Digital PCR, with a flexible type 3 range which recognizes the R&D process used by IAGE in the Development and validation of methods deployed under COFRAC accreditation. All our methods of methods therefore meet the requirements of standard 17025. ” Moreover. “nWe use AI to analyze the data we generate and correlate it to other available data in order to make the predictive ”.

Science defies mosquitoes: "anticipate presence

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