Réunion Island on health alert after spike in chikungunya disease
According to La Réunion's police prefecture and regional ARS health agency in a joint statement on Thursday: "The chikungunya epidemic is now widespread throughout the island and is continuing to spread".
Between 10 and 16 March, 4,156 new cases were reported – more than 600 up on the previous week.
"To date, 15 serious cases have been reported, including eight adults and seven newborns," the statement added.
Since August 2024, when the epidemic began on the Indian Ocean territory, 13,594 cases have been reported.
Last week, the authorities announced the first two deaths from the current outbreak.
The chikungunya virus is spread by two species of mosquito, which also transmit dengue and zika.
The disease is not usually fatal but can be dangerous for older people or those with other health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular problems.
The name 'chikungunya' comes from the Kimakonde language of southern Tanzania.
"There will still be a strong transmission dynamic between now and then," he added.
Read more on RFI EnglishRead also:France boosts meningitis vaccinations to fight rise in deadly infectionsEight dead in Rwanda as Marburg virus outbreak declaredLocal transmissions of dengue fever reach record high in France
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