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Chikungunya in Réunion: an ongoing outbreak that requires everyone’s vigilance
Reunion Island is facing a chikungunya outbreak. More than 33,000 cases have already been confirmed on the island since the beginning of 2025. Authorities are urging caution and reminding the public of the essential steps to take to protect themselves from mosquitoes.
Chikungunya
thematic dossier
Chikungunya is a viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes of the genus Aedes. The most common symptoms are fever and joint pain.
Chikungunya is an infectious disease caused by an arbovirus, the chikungunya virus. This virus is transmitted primarily through the bite of mosquitoes of the genus Aedes, particularly Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, also known as the tiger mosquito.
The region has been in an epidemic situation since January 13, 2025, following a resurgence in the circulation of the virus observed since August 23, 2024, driven by the natural increase in mosquito density during the southern hemisphere summer and by declining immunity among the population of Réunion. Santé publique France is monitoring the progression of the epidemic through its surveillance system, which draws on multiple sources, including mandatory reporting of biologically confirmed cases, data from sentinel physicians, medical consultations, and emergency room visits. These surveillance data are published weekly in an epidemiological bulletin available online on our website.
In this epidemic context, a vaccination campaign organized by the Réunion Regional Health Agency began on Monday, April 7, 2025, for those most at risk, in accordance with the recommendations of the French National Authority for Health (HAS).
What is the situation in Réunion?
According to the latest data published by Santé publique France, more than 33,000 biologically confirmed cases and 91,500 medical consultations for chikungunya have been recorded on the island since the beginning of the year. The epidemic is still ongoing, with 4,913 confirmed cases and 19,600 consultations reported in S14 (March 31 to April 6, 2025). However, a combined analysis of the indicators shows a decline in primary care and emergency department visits, though levels remain high; a further two-week decline is needed to confirm whether or not the epidemic has passed its peak.
The impact of hospitalizations and severe cases is observed among vulnerable individuals, infants, the elderly, people with chronic conditions, and pregnant women, for whom the disease can be severe.
The situation will continue to be closely monitored in the coming weeks, including the impact on primary care, emergency departments, and hospitals, to confirm the epidemic’s trajectory.
Number of confirmed chikungunya cases per week of symptom onset and estimated number of outpatient visits for clinically suspected chikungunya cases in private practice, Réunion, Week 1/2025 to Week 14/2025
Health authorities' recommendations for protecting yourself from mosquitoes
Everyday precautions to protect yourself and avoid mosquito bites in areas where infected mosquitoes may be present include:
wear loose-fitting, covering clothing;
use topical mosquito repellents;
use fans;
sleep under a mosquito net;
plug in electric mosquito repellent diffusers;
use mosquito coils outdoors.
Everyone is encouraged to protect themselves against mosquito bites and to help control the mosquito population by minimizing standing water in yards and gardens, especially during this period of heavy rainfall. Infants and pregnant women, especially those in their third trimester, should take special care to protect themselves from mosquito bites by using repellents and sleeping under mosquito nets.
Vaccination Information Service
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