Réunion's Chikungunya Outbreak Reaches Level 4

The Chikungunya outbreak on La Réunion Island recently reached Level 4 of the ORSEC plan of this French overseas department and region.

The Director General of the Regional Health Agency (ARS) stated in a media release on March 19, 2025, stated Réunion is experiencing a "medium-intensity epidemic," with 2,888 cases reported in early March.

On March 21, 2025, local media reported two Chikungunya-related fatalities.

ARS wrote, 'Although there is no current tension in the hospital environment, 77 patients were admitted to the emergency room between March 3 and 9, 2025.'

'Faced with the increase and spread of cases across the country, the ARS vector control service is adapting its system to optimize the effectiveness of interventions.'

The southern municipalities are the most affected by this mosquito-transmitted virus, particularly Le Tampon, located in the south-central part of the island and home to about 80,000 residents.

To alert international travelers, the U.S. CDC issued a Travel Health Advisory in February 2025, confirming that people can protect themselves by preventing mosquito bites and that vaccination against Chikungunya is recommended for most people traveling to a destination with a current Chikungunya outbreak.

In the United States, various Chikynunga vaccines are available at most travel clinics and pharmacies as of March 22, 2025.