Key Points 

From the end of January (W4) through the fourth week of April (W17), 204 biologically confirmed cases of chikungunya were reported in French Guiana. The increase in the number of confirmed cases observed in Week 16 continued: 56 confirmed cases were reported in W17 compared to 38 in W16. This increase mainly concerns the municipality of Saint-Laurent du Maroni: the epidemic continues in the western coastal region. Also noteworthy in week 17 is an increase in confirmed cases in the Maroni region, reflecting an acceleration in the spread of the virus in this area.

The number of clinically suggestive cases seen in outpatient clinics at CDPSs and local hospitals, as well as the number of emergency room visits for chikungunya at the three CHU sites, remain low. Hospital surveillance has identified 44 hospitalized cases, including two severe cases (provisional classification pending final classification by infectious disease specialists). One death was recorded among the two severe cases; its attribution to the chikungunya virus is currently being assessed by infectious disease specialists.