According to the Regional Health Agency, the risk of a chikungunya epidemic cannot be ruled out. Friday’s confirmation that a person infected with the virus in Saint-Louis had not been in contact with the outbreak detected in Saint-Gilles les Bains suggests that chikungunya is circulating.
This brings back bad memories for the Réunionese. A tropical disease transmitted by mosquitoes, chikungunya reappeared on our island in 2005. In the absence of adequate measures taken by the health authorities, the arrival of summer led to a health, economic and ecological disaster. More than 260,000 people were infected, over 200 died, and the environment was damaged by the massive spraying of chemical insecticides. Tourism dropped considerably, as did confidence, one of the driving forces behind the economy.
The first cases were detected in September. We need to act quickly before the summer. The arrival of the heat and the rainy season will encourage the proliferation of mosquitoes, the vectors of chikungunya.
In 2005, before the chikungunya epidemic became a catastrophe in 2006, the Reunionese Communist Party advocated the use of environmentally-friendly biological solutions to avoid the worst. The communists were not listened to, with the consequences that everyone must be familiar with today.
Among the methods proposed, the Reunionese Communist Party put forward the idea of using the Bti. This request was taken up at the highest level by Gélita Hoarau, Senator for the Reunionese Communist Party.
On the strength of the 2006 experience, the health authorities should not overlook this possibility. It has the merit of combating the proliferation of mosquitoes while protecting the environment.
Summer is also the high point of the tourist season on La Reunion Island. We don’t want another epidemic to scare off potential tourists. The loss of revenue will be paid for by the threat to local jobs.

M.M.