Health officials in Reunion report an additional 904 dengue fever cases during the last week of March, bringing the total to nearly 5,000 since the beginning of the year.

Image/CDC

In addition, the number of hospitalizations are increasing with 25 to 30 recorded weekly’

New transmission zones have been identified in Saint-André, Saint-Denis, Sainte-Marie and Sainte-Suzanne.

Since the beginning of the epidemic in 2018, 11,882 indigenous cases have been confirmed, including 322 hospitalizations and 11 fatalities.

ARS Indian Ocean recently launched a survey to know and understand the public perception of the risks associated with Dengue (mode of transmission, means of protection, prevention).

More than 400 people across the island were interviewed by telephone:

  • 71% of respondents know that mosquitoes are born in standing water
  • 91% confirm that mosquitoes transmit diseases
  • 89% know that dengue fever is a dangerous disease

The population seems to be well affected by communication campaigns

  • 99% say they have heard of dengue,
  • 68% say they have seen a campaign on dengue recently.

In addition, prevention practices are generally fairly well implemented:

  • more than 80% declare that they regularly eliminate breeding places,
  • 85% say they protect themselves from mosquito bites,
  • almost 50% report using regular repellents

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