France has declared a state of emergency due to the outbreak of chikungunya fever.

In Réunion, France, a state of emergency called "Plan White" has been introduced due to the chikungunya outbreak. This measure allows, among other things, the recall of medical personnel from leave, Réunion la 1ère reported.

The plan was introduced at a university hospital located in the French overseas region of the Indian Ocean.

The "White Plan" is used during crises. The system allows medical facilities to mobilize all necessary human and material resources and create emergency logistics. The plan was last adopted on Reunion Island in January 2022 during the pandemic.covid-19 .

The hospital's press release stated that the measure was introduced due to a "very significant increase in emergency services activity over several days" at two sites—Saint-Denis (north) and Saint-Pierre (south). The decision was made in consultation with the Regional HEALTH Agency.

The channel also clarified that a crisis management system is in place in hospitals across the region. The influx of chikungunya patients is growing, and all patients need to be accommodated.

Chikungunya is a viral disease transmitted by the bite of Aedes mosquitoes. The infection causes a sudden fever accompanied by severe muscle and joint pain. Complications (neurological, muscular, cardiovascular) and even death can also occur , and symptoms can persist for more than three months.

The epidemic is progressing on the island: in the week from March 17 to 23, approximately 6,000 cases were registered, the TV channel reported. However, the number could be three to four times higher, given that not all patients are being identified.

As of April 2, more than 20,000 cases have been identified since August 2024. Officially, two people, aged 86 and 96, have died from the virus. However, the peak of the epidemic has not yet been reached. it is expected by mid-April, according to radio station Francebleu.

In June, the first chikungunya vaccine for adults received marketing authorization in Europe. On Monday, April 7, with the arrival of Foreign Minister Manuel Valls in Saint-Denis, the  vaccination campaign will begin , using 40,000 doses of the vaccine, Francebleu noted.

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