With millions of spectators expected to attend the Paris Olympics, France’s top health body launched a campaign in early June to combat the spread of dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases in the country.

According to a report in the Telegraph, since the Paris Olympics, which will run from July 26 to August 11, could be a “super spreader” for dengue, the ARS has launched a campaign to monitor mosquito numbers in Paris, setting up 526 traps that will later be sent for testing.

The concept of a “super spreader” in infection epidemiology refers to the fact that a small population, even just a single person, can be responsible for a significant number of cases.

France has deployed its “dengue detectives” to tackle the problem. Their mission is to identify disease hotspots, locate mosquito eggs, and help reduce the spread of the virus in cities.

These “detectives” from the Regional Mosquito Control Agency (ARD) are targeting Aedes albopictus, commonly known as the Asian tiger mosquito, which thrives in the hot, wet summer conditions of cities like Paris, where there is a lot of activity and bustle.

The incident comes after a serious bedbug outbreak on France’s public transport network.

Last year, data analysis firm Airfinity warned that locally transmitted dengue cases in France would increase 50-fold by 2030 due to global warming.

Asian tiger mosquitoes spread diseases such as dengue fever, chikungunya and the Zika virus, which until recently existed only in parts of Africa, Asia and the Americas. Since they have been present in Europe, dengue cases have increased manifold in the last few years.

According to the French Ministry of Health, since the Asian tiger mosquito first established populations in France in 2004, it has “colonised” 78 of Metropolitan France’s 96 departments, including all of Greater Paris.

In March, the species was found in the cold, northern region of Normandy, the last mosquito-free area. Once established, it is practically impossible to eradicate.

To keep track of the situation, health officials have launched a website and are contacting hotels, schools and other venues to report and trace potential outbreaks. Traps that emit a human-like scent are being set up at some Olympic venues to lure mosquitoes away.

Locals have been advised to prevent stagnant water from accumulating in their gardens to reduce mosquito breeding.

The Olympics have also been identified as a risk factor for viral pandemics before. The 2016 Olympics in Brazil were nearly postponed because of concerns about Zika, another virus transmitted by the Aedes mosquito.

Concerns about the spread of COVID-19 during the Tokyo Olympics led to strict measures being taken to limit infections. There were few cases of infection within the Olympic bubble, but a rise in cases was seen among the general public.