Chikungunya outbreak on Réunion Island causing severe crisis

France's Réunion Island is facing a severe outbreak of Chikungunya, a mosquito-borne virus. The outbreak has resulted in two deaths and hospitalizations for dozens of individuals. Since the virus began spreading in August 2023, nearly 8,750 cases have been reported, with about 3,000 cases occurring in just the first week of March. In response to the outbreak, Valneva, a French biotech company, has shipped 40,000 doses of its Chikungunya vaccine to the island. This is the worst Chikungunya outbreak on Réunion since 2005. Back then, around a third of the island's population was infected, resulting in 225 deaths. Juan Carlos Jaramillo, Valneva’s chief medical officer, emphasized the need to vaccinate as many people as possible to control the virus. The vaccine rollout will begin in early April, targeting vulnerable populations such as those over 65 and people with serious health issues. A team of 150 health workers has been sent to the island to help with daily fumigation efforts to combat the mosquito population. Chikungunya causes symptoms similar to those of dengue and Zika virus, including fever, joint pain, and fatigue. While the vaccine has received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration, there are currently no specific treatments for the virus. Experts see Chikungunya as an increasing global health threat, as climate change creates more breeding grounds for mosquitoes. The outbreak occurs shortly after Réunion was affected by a powerful cyclone, which raised concerns about its role in increasing mosquito populations. Some experts suggest that standing water left by the storm might contribute to the rapid rise in Chikungunya cases.