Chikungunya virus outbreak kills six on France's Réunion Island

Mosquito-borne chikungunya kills six in La Reunion

A disabling mosquito-borne disease called chikungunya has killed six people in the French Indian Ocean island of La Reunion but the outbreak appears to be easing, authorities said on Wednesday.

The first time Le Monde wrote 'tiger mosquito'

COLUMN. On La Réunion, the chikungunya epidemic has peaked with more than 33,000 cases and six deaths recorded. Like dengue or Zika, the virus is transmitted by the tiger mosquito. On July 30, 1948, the insect was mentioned for the first time in Le Monde, which has since continued to track its spread.

Chikungunya virus outbreak kills six on France's Réunion Island

Six people have died from chikungunya on the French overseas department of Réunion Island since the start of the year, health officials confirmed on Wednesday. The mosquito-borne virus has infected more than 33,000 people on the island so far.

Public Health France is increasing the number of victims of the disease in the Indian Ocean department on Wednesday, 16 April. All of them are "over 70" people who were "carriers of comorbidities". However, the epidemic seems to be slowing down in the last few days.

In Reunion, the chikungunya epidemic was particularly virulent in 2025. To help combat the spread of the epidemic, which had already caused two deaths and some 40 serious cases, 120 soldiers had just arrived on the island.

The northern region of Mauritius is currently considered a home of chikungunya, encouraging the authorities to carry out intensive exercises to contain the spread of the virus. To date, there are 69 cases in the country, 58 of which are local and 11 imported. Of these cases, 10 are still active and the health status of the patients is considered stable. Rodrigues has reported six cases of chikungunya. At the same time, Mauritius also faces 21 ca…