Health authorities in France's Reunion Island on Friday launched an emergency plan to boost staff in hospitals to deal with the spread of the chikungunya virus. This comes as the Indian Ocean territory reported over 6,000 new cases of the mosquito-borne disease last month.
The University Hospital of Reunion Island announced that it had activated the so-called "white plan" in order to step up the treatment of patients suffering from chikungunya.
The plan allows for certain operations to be cancelled or staff on leave to be recalled to hospitals.
The island's two main public hospitals have opened more beds due to the sharp influx of patients but are under strain as many staff members are absent.
More than 20,000 cases of chikungunya have been recorded since the outbreak of the epidemic in August 2024, the vast majority since the beginning of the year.
Two die from chikungunya as virus spreads on France's Reunion Island
According to the latest health report, published Wednesday, nearly 6,000 new cases were recorded during the week of March 17 to 23.
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.
Two people, aged 86 and 96, have officially died from the virus and health authorities recorded 31 serious cases, half of which were infants.
Vaccination campaign
A targeted vaccination campaign is scheduled to begin in Reunion Island on Monday, the Regional Health Agency (ARS) announced.
People aged 65 and over with severe health issues will be able to get vaccinated free of charge by a doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.
The 40,000 doses of the Ixchiq vaccine – made by the Franco-Austrian pharmaceutical group Valneva – arrived on the island this week.
"The most difficult weeks are ahead, with the peak expected in mid-April," Overseas Minister Manuel Valls said Friday morning on franceinfo.
He will be visiting the island starting Saturday.
Meanwhile, a case of chikungunya imported from Reunion Island was reported in Martinique last month, the French West Indies' Regional Health Agency (ARS) announced Friday.
"The patient, originally from Reunion Island, visited Martinique during the second half of March and presented symptoms suggestive of the disease," the health authority stated in a press release.
