Since late January (Week 04), 723 cases of chikungunya have been laboratory-confirmed in French Guiana, including 77 in Week 23 (unconsolidated data). The available data indicate an increase in viral circulation, which is also spreading across the territory:

• Western Coast: although the number of confirmed cases remains high, it has been declining for the past two weeks, likely due to a decrease in the number of laboratory-confirmed diagnoses rather than an actual decline in viral circulation. In fact, the number of emergency room visits for chikungunya was increasing at the CHOG, reflecting an upward trend in viral circulation and a continuation of the epidemic in this area. The Western Coast is at the “alert level” under the ORSEC plan for combating arboviruses.
• Savanes: trends observed over the past two weeks point to an intensification of viral circulation in this sector, which is thus transitioning to an epidemic.
• Cayenne Island: epidemiological indicators are stable, but a geographic spread of cases is being observed. The sector is in the phase of epidemic outbreaks.
• Maroni: Cases continue to be confirmed, and consultations for chikungunya at local health centers (CDPS) are being recorded; the area remains in the sporadic transmission phase.

Hospital surveillance has identified 127 hospitalized cases, of which 69% were mild, 23% were atypical, and 8% were severe. In addition, one death was recorded in a patient who presented with a common form of chikungunya; however, the cause of death was not chikungunya infection.