Reunion Hospital Calls for Additional Medical Staff to Combat Chikungunya Outbreak

The healthcare authorities on Reunion Island, a French territory in the Indian Ocean, are experiencing a significant strain due to a recent chikungunya virus outbreak. Lionel Calenge, the head of the island's hospital services, issued a plea for more medical personnel to help manage the rising number of cases. According to Calenge, the hospitals are operating at full capacity, with the emergency wards treating between 30 and 40 chikungunya patients daily. Since the beginning of 2025, there have been over 580 hospitalizations related to the virus, including cases involving newborns. The outbreak has also incapacitated a large portion of the medical staff, with around 540 personnel unable to work after contracting the disease. Although an initial decrease in the epidemic's severity was observed in early April, the situation remains critical, prompting the hospitals to delay elective surgeries and recall staff on leave. Calenge emphasized the urgent need for six additional doctors to bolster the healthcare response amid the ongoing epidemic. This outbreak coincides with a visit by French President Emmanuel Macron to Reunion Island, highlighting the importance of prompt medical intervention and support. The situation continues to require extensive medical resources and community efforts to control the spread of chikungunya on the island.