Reunion is facing a double health crisis, threatening the entire population currently confined. The Covid-19 hit the French department of the Indian Ocean which now has 410 cases of people infected according to the latest figures released by the Regional Health Agency (ARS) Tuesday, April 21. At the same time, the island is facing a dengue epidemic which is progressing dangerously.
Ten times more cases than Covid-19
If dengue has been present on Reunion Island for a long time, it has been increasing strongly since the beginning of the year. “The dengue epidemic continues to grow on the island, with a significant number of cases and hospitalizations, and a sharp increase in emergency visits for dengue seen in recent weeks ”, described ARS in a statement released on Tuesday. A total of 4,207 cases have been reported since 1er January, according to figures released by ARS. That’s ten times more than the number of people infected with Covid-19. Between April 6 and 12, no less than 751 cases of dengue fever were confirmed.
The majority of dengue fever cases are in the south of the island, but an upsurge is also observed in the west of the department, near Saint-Benoît. “We must not forget this second epidemic which is much more serious than the coronavirus, insists Doctor Reuben Veerapeen, spokesperson for the Council of the Medical Association of La Réunion, at Linfo.re. It’s an epidemic with patients who have relatively severe symptoms, there are more than with Covid-19“.
See a doctor
Unlike the coronavirus, dengue is spread by mosquito bites. In case of symptoms, unlike the coronavirus, the important thing is to quickly consult a doctor. The goal is to “to be tested, to protect themselves from mosquito bites and to continue to protect themselves even sick to protect their loved ones, and to eliminate breeding places at their home ”, recalls the ARS. Since the beginning of the year, 183 hospitalizations have occurred due to dengue fever, 482 emergency room visits and one death.
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