Reunion Island Launches Emergency Plan Amid Chikungunya Epidemic

Chikungunya Outbreak on Reunion Island

• ⚠️ The epidemic on Reunion Island is described as "unstoppable," with nearly 6,000 new cases of chikungunya reported weekly.
• 📍 Initially concentrated in the southern region, the virus has now spread across the entire island, affecting the north and east.

Emergency Health Measures

• 🏥 Hospital services are saturated, leading the health system to implement emergency measures for the first time since COVID-19.
• 🔬 The regional health authority is employing preventative strategies, including establishing a 100-meter perimeter around infected individuals' homes.
• 🦟 Teams are educating neighbors and treating the environment with insecticide to eliminate mosquitoes and prevent further contamination.

Vaccination Campaign

• 💉 A vaccination campaign is set to begin, with the first 40,000 doses to be distributed.
• 💊 These initial doses will be available free of charge in pharmacies, prioritizing the most vulnerable populations.