A vaccination campaign for chikungunya commenced in early April 2025, with La Réunion receiving 40,000 doses of the Ixchiq vaccine and an additional 60,000 doses purchased to combat the outbreak.

Health officials estimate that approximately 120,000 people, or one in nine residents of La Réunion, may have contracted chikungunya, a disease transmitted by the tiger mosquito.

The outbreak has resulted in 1,442 individuals seeking hospital treatment, with 231 being admitted, and a total of 261 hospitalizations recorded, nearly half of which involve patients over 65 and a quarter involving infants under six months.

The epidemic has led to nine confirmed deaths, including three new fatalities reported recently, with ongoing investigations into additional deaths, including that of an infant.

Despite the alarming statistics, health authorities indicate that the epidemic is stabilizing at a high level of transmission.

This current outbreak is less severe than the major epidemic between 2005 and 2006, which affected over 260,000 people and resulted in more than 250 deaths.

During the week of April 7 to 13, emergency room visits surged by 21%, totaling 350 compared to 289 the previous week, highlighting the ongoing health crisis.

French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized the importance of protective measures, particularly for pregnant women, during his discussions with local health officials about the vaccination campaign.

Macron noted that France is the first country to purchase such a large quantity of the new Ixchiq vaccine, underscoring the urgency of the situation.

While confirmed cases decreased from 6,237 to 4,304 during the same period, health officials caution that this figure may be revised upward as more data becomes available.

Before this outbreak, La Réunion had not reported any chikungunya cases since 2010, following a significant epidemic that had a lasting impact on the population.

A total of 47 severe cases have been reported, primarily affecting elderly individuals and infants requiring intensive care.