Mayotte goes into epidemic phase, according to Public Health France – Liberation

Mayotte has passed in the epidemic phase for Chikungunya. In question, a marked accentuation of the transmission of this viral disease transmitted by the bites of infected mosquitoes, the health authorities said on Monday, June 2, insisting on an intensification of response measures.

“Since May 26, Mayotte has passed in the epidemic phase (phase 3 of the Orsec arboviroses plan, corresponding to a low intensity epidemic). This evolution of the alert level follows a marked acceleration of the transmission of the chikungunya virus throughout the territory, with a number of confirmed cases in constant increase for several weeks ”, Indicates Public Health France in its new bulletin.

Since the beginning of 2025, 560 confirmed cases of Chikungunya have been reported in Mayotte, including 204 on the only week of May 19 to 25, an increase of 42 % in seven days, according to provisional data. But « The real situation could be largely underestimated », Recalls Public Health France. Not only do organic confirmation tests remain suspended from emergency « Persistent pressure (…) worrying », but « The use of care remains partial for part of the population, especially in the most isolated or precarious areas ».

Since the detection of the first confirmed case, 15 people have been hospitalized, including eight pregnant women for surveillance and five babies under a year, but there has been no admission to resuscitation and no death.

If the chikungunya virus circulates on the entire territory of Mayotte, the public health agency noted a persistent concentration of cases in the municipalities of Mamoudzou, the most affected, Pamandzi, Dzaoudzi.

In front of « High probability » of an epidemic likely to saturate a weakened health system, the Ministry of Health has provided for the organization of a vaccination campaign For some risky adults, engraved in a decree published last Wednesday in the Official Journal.

This campaign, with the only product authorized for the moment, Ixchiq (Valneva), will be targeted on people aged 18 to 64 with at least a comorbidity and will take into account the Mahorais Health specificities, including comorbidities at advanced stadiums in large numbers.

An epidemic has been hit for several months another overseas department, Reunion, located some 1,500 kilometers from Mayotte. Several tens of thousands of cases and twelve deaths were identified.

Updated At 1:27 p.m. with more details on the epidemic and the vaccine.