Epidemiological Situation

Following an unusually low level of dengue virus circulation in 2017, including during the southern hemisphere winter, the number of dengue cases has been increasing since the beginning of 2018 in Réunion. An intensification of viral circulation has been observed each week since January 29. During the past week (March 5–11), 131 cases were confirmed, bringing the total number of cases reported in 2018 to 324, all locally acquired. Since the beginning of 2017, a total of 418 locally acquired cases and 9 imported cases have been confirmed (figure). As many cases were hospitalized in two months in 2018 (12 cases) as in all of 2017, bringing the total to 24 hospitalizations since the beginning of 2017. Cases reported during the week of March 5–11 are located primarily in known areas of active viral circulation but also in new areas:

• in the west in St-Paul

• in the west in La Possession, Le Port, St Gilles-les-Bains, and St-Leu

• in the south in St-Pierre

Isolated cases have also been identified in municipalities in the west and south of the island.