Réunion: Dengue fever outbreak

Event

Health officials in the French overseas department (DOM) of Réunion are warning of a possible increase in transmission rates of the mosquito-borne disease dengue fever. The current outbreak was being described as a “low intensity epidemic” as of March 27 but could grow significantly in the coming weeks due to high mosquito populations and current weather conditions conducive to mosquito breeding (i.e. the ongoing rainy season). Since the beginning of the year, nearly 600 cases of the disease have been reported on the island - including 154 in the week March 19-24 alone - compared to fewer than 100 cases reported in all of 2017. The disease has so far only been detected in the south and the west of the island. Anti-mosquito efforts ongoing since January, such as fumigation and destruction of potential mosquito breeding grounds, have been intensified.

Context

The current outbreak is the largest reported in the department since the 1970s.     

Symptoms of dengue fever include fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, fatigue, nausea, and rashes. Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) is a potentially deadly complication that is characterized by high fever, the enlargement of the liver, and hemorrhaging.

Advice

Individuals in Réunion are advised to take measures to protect themselves from mosquito bites - e.g. by wearing covering clothing, using insect repellent, and sleeping under mosquito-netting or in an air conditioned room - and to eliminate possible mosquito breeding grounds (small pockets of fresh water, such as rain water that has collected in cans, bottles, tires, flower pots, clogged gutters, etc.).