Reunion chikungunya outbreak update
In a follow-up on a report from last week, the Regional Health Agency (ARS) La Réunion reports 192 cases of chikungunya have been recorded since August 2024.
Officials report two new active outbreaks have been identified (La Vallée in Saint-Pierre and Bras Creux in Tampon), making a total of seven active outbreaks, distributed as follows:
Étang-Salé : Sheunon ravine district (90 cases)
Saint-Paul : Hermitage (12 cases)
Stamp :
Grand-Bassin (7 cases)
3 Mares les bas (9 cases).
Hollow Arm (3 cases)
Line of 400 (8 cases)
Saint-Pierre : The Valley (4 cases)
There has been an intensification in the circulation of chikungunya in the country and an increase in the number of isolated cases.
Chikungunya with Roger Nasci, PhD
Since the first cases appeared, 120 agents have been mobilized and carry out daily control and prevention actions. This workforce is regularly revised upwards to deal with the appearance of new cases in neighborhoods that until now were not affected by the virus.
43 areas benefited from intervention
436 houses or apartments were visited
87 larval breeding sites have been eliminated
217 treatments were carried out
The vector control and intervention strategy is based on:
Elimination of mosquito breeding sites around the homes of patients,
Carrying out insecticide and/or larvicide treatments during the day,
Raising awareness among residents about preventive measures,
Distribution of repellents to priority groups around cases,
Search for other cases within the perimeter of the initially reported case
Encouragement to consult a doctor promptly if symptoms occur and to carry out laboratory tests.
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Like dengue fever, chikungunya is a disease transmitted by tiger mosquitoes (Aedes albopictus) . Anyone can be affected: infants, children, adults, and the elderly.
The prefect invites the people of Reunion Island to strictly comply with the instructions of the health authorities and to put into practice preventive measures and barrier gestures:
• Eliminate places where mosquitoes can lay their eggs
Mosquitoes multiply by laying their eggs in containers and objects containing water located around the house.
To combat mosquitoes, you must remove mosquito nests from your home and around your home every week:
throw away or empty the cups, small containers, etc.
empty gutters, tires, plants retaining water
make water storage devices inaccessible to mosquitoes (installation of mosquito nets or fabrics, etc.)
treat or empty unused pools…
• Protect yourself from mosquito bites
mosquito repellent sprays,
mosquito nets, especially for children and bedridden people, people with chikungunya or dengue fever
diffusers/coils,
long clothes