chikungunya Cases and Deaths Rise in Réunion Island

SAINT-DENIS, Réunion Island – Health officials have⁢ confirmed a surge in chikungunya cases on Réunion Island, along with a rise in ‍fatalities linked to the mosquito-borne virus. Between April 7 and‍ April 13, three additional deaths were reported, ⁢bringing the total⁢ confirmed deaths to nine between March 10 and april 13, according to Public Health France. All confirmed fatalities involved individuals over 70 years of age with pre-existing health conditions. Nine other deaths are‍ currently under investigation to determine if they are connected to the outbreak, including a neonatal death previously announced.

The island has seen an estimated 113,000 consultations for chikungunya since the‍ start of 2025, with 20,520 occurring during ⁣week 15 alone.

Epidemic Stabilized,⁤ but Transmission Remains High

While‍ the epidemic has stabilized, health authorities report a consistently high level of transmission across the island, with notable ‍disparities between the northern and southern regions.

Serious Cases and Hospitalizations

as week⁣ 11, health officials have reported 47 severe cases of chikungunya, primarily affecting elderly individuals and infants, requiring intensive care.

Mortality Details

The nine deaths classified as linked to chikungunya ‍occurred ⁢between weeks 11 and 14.⁤ All victims were over 70 years old and had existing comorbidities.Investigations ⁣are ongoing for nine additional deaths,‍ including a neonatal case, to ascertain the virus’s role.

Officials caution that the number of deaths directly attributed to chikungunya may change as ⁤investigations conclude.

Consultations in City Medicine

Data from sentinel⁤ doctors indicates a stabilization of chikungunya-related activity ⁤in city medicine during week 15. Though, the level of activity remains high, accounting for 18% of total medical activity. Health officials⁤ are closely monitoring this trend.

island-wide,city medicine consultations⁢ for symptoms clinically compatible with ‍chikungunya are estimated at over⁤ 20,520 for week 15,compared ‍to 20,190 ⁣in week 14. ⁢As the beginning of the year, these consultations total nearly 113,000.These estimates are based on data from city doctors participating in the sentinel network and health insurance records.

emergency Room Visits

After a decrease in week 14, emergency room visits related to chikungunya increased again in week 15. Since the start of⁣ 2025,there have been 1,442 visits for chikungunya,including 350 in ‍week 15,a 21% increase from the 289 visits in⁤ week 14.

The trend varies among hospital⁢ centers:

• The South CHU (University Hospital Center) saw stabilization, accounting for 41% of visits with⁣ 143 in week 15,‍ compared to 148 in week 14.
• The North CHU experienced a 40% increase,with 95 visits in⁤ week 15⁤ (compared to 68 in week 14),representing 26% of all visits.
• Increases were also noted at the Chor (West Réunion Hospital Center) and GHER (East Réunion Hospital Group), with 70 and 42 visits in week ⁤15, respectively.

Confirmed Cases Overview

Réunion Island has reported over 39,000 confirmed cases of autochthonous chikungunya⁢ as the beginning of 2025. Week 15 saw a decrease in ⁤new cases compared to ⁢the previous week, with 4,304 confirmed⁣ cases reported, down⁤ from 6,237 in week 14.

Health officials caution against interpreting the decrease in confirmed cases⁢ as a definitive ⁤trend, as⁣ systematic biological confirmation of suspected cases ‍may have been interrupted,⁣ particularly in areas with high disease circulation. data consolidation is ongoing due to the⁣ volume of signals being processed, and ⁣week 15 data is not yet⁣ fully consolidated.

The town of⁢ le Tampon has reported the highest number of cases since the start of the epidemic, with over 6,500 cases in 2025, including 327 in week 15. During ⁤week 15, Saint-Denis was the most affected town with 681 identified cases, followed by Saint-Paul with 577 cases. despite a decrease in cases in most municipalities, increases were observed in Le Port, Sainte-Rose, and Cilaos during week 15.

Relative to ⁤population size, La Possession and Trois-Bassins had the highest number of cases⁣ in week 15, with 93 cases per 10,000 inhabitants.

Hospitalized Cases

Public Health France reports 261 hospitalized cases for more than 24 hours due to chikungunya. In 231 of these cases (88%), chikungunya was the ‍primary reason for admission. In the remaining cases, the diagnosis was confirmed during ⁤hospitalization.

Nearly a quarter (26%) of hospitalized patients were under 6 months old, and almost half ⁢(44%) were⁢ over 65 years old.These two populations represent the majority of hospitalized chikungunya cases.

The majority of hospitalized patients⁢ (94%) ‍had at least one risk factor ⁢for severe illness, such as comorbidity, advanced age, or pregnancy.

Hospitalization for ⁣monitoring of chikungunya during pregnancy was reported in 51 pregnant ⁣women,and 42 infants under 6 months of age were hospitalized for associated short-term severity.

To date, 47 serious cases, defined‍ as having presented at least one organ failure, have been reported. These included 27⁢ adults over 65, 3 individuals with comorbidities, and 17 infants under 3 months old.⁣ One ‍previously reported case has been excluded due to ⁤the identification of another medical cause.