Chikungunya Cases in Reunion Projected to Hit 10,000 by Week’s End, Peak Expected in April

France Info. Nearly 3000 cases were identified in a week on the whole island. If the South was initially the most affected region, the whole territory is now concerned by the epidemic.

According to the media, the bad weather that has struck the island in recent days can be responsible for the intensification of the epidemic. Professor Xavier Deparis, director of the day before and health security at ARS, announced Thursday evening on the local TV channel Reunion the 1st that an epidemic peak was announced for the month of May but that in view of the figures, this peak could be reached in April.

10,000 cases confirmed by the end of the week in Reunion

He also specifies that by the end of the week, no less than 10,000 cases will be confirmed, a figure that we must see upwards since all doctors do not prescribe a blood test. To protect themselves, residents are summoned to eliminate what could contain water around their home and protect themselves from mosquito bites. Fortunately, nearly 40,000 doses of vaccine should arrive soon.

Chikungunya is a disease that is transmitted via infected female mosquitoes (Aedes Albopictus and Aedes Aegypti), recognizable thanks to their black and white stripes. These mosquitoes generally bite early in the morning or before sunset. Even today, the mode of action of Chikungunya, caused by an RNA virus, is unknown.

80% of departments have conditions conducive to the emergence of the disease

As the Pasteur Institute specifies, it mainly infects muscles, joints, tissues where white blood cells and the central nervous system circulate. The disease is rarely fatal, however it can cause pain that can affect the quality of life of contaminated people.

The species AEDES AEGYPTI is present in the Antilles, Guyana, French Polynesia and New Caledonia. As for the other species, Aedes Albopictus, It is present in mainland France. According to the Pasteur Institute, there were three cases of chikungunya imported into mainland France during the year 2021. 80% of the departments “bring together the conditions conducive to the emergence of the disease”.