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 Printable version |
Modelling the aggressiveness of the Culex modestus, possible vector of West Nile fever in Camargue, as a function of meteorological data |
Environnement, Risques & Santé. Volume 4, Number 2, 109-13, Mars-Avril 2005, Article original
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 Résumé
Article gratuit
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Author(s) : Antoinette Ludwig, Dominique Bicout, Karine Chalvet-Monfray, Philippe Sabatier |
Summary : In 2000, the South of France witnesses a West Nile outbreak in Camargue, where the mosquito Culex modestus is the potential vector. Using field data of mosquito collected by Mouchet et al. in 1966 at La Capelière, we have developed a model to describe Culex modestus aggressiveness as a function of meteorological data. We found that Culex modestus aggressiveness is positively correlated with the temperature, humidity coupled to rainfall and sunshine, all averaged within a time interval. Next, the meteorological data from Météo-France were used in this model to simulate Culex modestus aggressiveness for the years 1999 (before the outbreak) and 2000. It appears from the analysis that the years 1999 and 2000 were characterised by this species’ aggressiveness being higher than average by 1 to 3 orders of magnitude with aggressiveness profiles shifted by about 2 weeks toward the end of the summer. |
Keywords : culex, disease outbreaks, humidity, insect vectors, linear models, mediterranean region, temperature, weather, West Nile fever |
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