A report recently released by the French Ministry of Health indicates that a mosquito-borne illness known as mosquito flu is rampant on Réunion Island (a French territory). This disease is scientifically named “chikungunya,” referring to the type of mosquito that transmits the illness to humans.
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Children infected with mosquito flu in Réunion (Photo: VNN) |
In just the past week, an additional 5,600 people have contracted the flu, bringing the total number of infected individuals since the beginning of the outbreak to over 30,000, which represents nearly 5% of the island’s population.
Symptoms of those infected typically include loss of appetite, joint pain (commonly in the knees and fingers), high fever, difficulty breathing, fatigue, trouble concentrating, mental instability, and the appearance of red rashes on the skin. According to experts, there is currently no vaccine available to treat or prevent this disease worldwide.
The flu “chikungunya,” often abbreviated as “chik,” originated in East Africa and has been present on Réunion Island since May 2005, experiencing a significant increase in cases over the past 10 days.
As of January 26, the French Ministry of Health reported 28 severe cases, including some newly reported instances of transmission from mother to child.
