Chikungunya in La Réunion Island (France) 17 February 2006
Between 28 March 2005 and 12 February 2006, 1 722 cases of
chikungunya have been notified by physicians from a sentinel
network in La Réunion, including 326 cases reported during the
week 6 to 12 February. Estimations from a mathematical model
indicate that 110 000 people may have been infected by
chikungunya virus since March 2005 in La Réunion, including 22
000 persons during the week 6 to 12 February. During the first
week of February, other countries in the south west Indian Ocean
have reported cases: Mauritius (206 cases) and the Seychelles (1
255 cases). Because of the extensive outbreaks in the region,
WHO is planning to send a team from the Regional Office for
Africa (AFRO) and headquarters to assess the control measures
under way. These include anti-vectoral activities; an extensive
public health education campaign using mass media to sensitize
the population about protective measures; and reinforcement of
epidemiological surveillance and vec