Réunion: At least 588 dengue cases reported as of late-March

Event

As of late-March, at least 588 cases of dengue fever have been reported in Réunion since January 1. According to local sources, the Saint Paul area is the most affected. Authorities have implemented public health measures, including campaigns aimed at destroying mosquito breeding grounds, to hinder further spread of the disease.

Context

Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne disease found mostly in urban and semi-urban areas. Symptoms of classic dengue fever include fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, fatigue, nausea, and rash. Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) is a potentially deadly complication that is characterized by high fever, enlargement of the liver, and hemorrhaging.

Advice

Individuals present in Réunion are advised to take measures to protect themselves from mosquito bites (e.g., by wearing covering clothing, using insect repellent, and sleeping in a screened-in or 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.).