All French people have now come to know the name of this disease, which has affected the islands of Réunion and Mayotte, severely disrupting daily life and the local economy. The chikungunya virus first appeared in these territories in 2005, and despite efforts to control the mosquito vector and prevent the disease, an epidemic outbreak occurred during the southern hemisphere summer, particularly beginning in January 2006. This epidemic revealed previously unknown aspects of the disease. This was undoubtedly the first chikungunya epidemic to occur in a highly developed area, the island of Réunion; and the research efforts undertaken by France must meet the expectations of the international scientific community. (R.A.)