From November 28 to December 11, 9 cases of dengue fever were recorded, compared to 12 for the previous fortnight. The number of cases remains stable at a low level. But with the arrival of summer, a possible resumption of the epidemic is still to be feared in the weeks to come.
This year, dengue has caused an increase in emergency room visits and severe forms of the disease. And if the circulation of the virus has remained at a very low level in recent months, a resumption of the epidemic is to be feared with the return of the southern summer.
But for now, the situation remains stable at a low level. From November 28 to December 11, 9 cases of dengue fever were recorded, compared to 12 cases for the previous fortnight. These cases are spread over 8 municipalities: Saint-Philippe, Saint-Pierre, Etang-Salé, Saint-Joseph, Saint-Denis, Sainte-Marie, Saint-Paul and Le Port.
Since January 1, 2022, just over 1,200 cases of dengue fever have been confirmed, compared to nearly 30,000 cases in 2021. The circulation of the virus has remained at a moderate level during the austral summer and while since mid-July, fewer than 10 weekly cases have been recorded.
Among the confirmed cases, 20% concerned secondary forms, that is to say people who contracted the disease a second time. There are also 195 emergency room visits this year, compared to more than 4,000 in 2021, 61 hospitalizations (compared to 1,185 in 2021) and two deaths directly linked to dengue fever, compared to 21 last year.
In view of the risk of an epidemic resumption, the ARS and the prefecture have launched a communication campaign to raise awareness among Reunionese to continue the fight against dengue fever and mosquitoes.
It is therefore advisable to eliminate anything that may contain stagnant water at home (cups, small objects, gutters, etc.) and to protect yourself from mosquito bites by using a repellent and/or mosquito nets, for infants and children. bedridden people.