Health authorities in French Guiana have announced the launch of a vaccination campaign aimed at curbing the spread of chikungunya, as the epidemic is rapidly accelerating in the territory. The Regional Health Agency (ARS) has ordered 2.500 doses of vaccine to prioritize the protection of populations most at risk of developing severe forms of the disease.
Since the beginning of the year, the virus transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes has been actively circulating in the department. According to the latest figures from Public Health France, 513 cases had been confirmed as of May 28, 101 of which required hospitalization. Health authorities believe the epidemic has now entered a phase of rapid growth.
The most vulnerable people targeted as a priority
The vaccination campaign will primarily target people over 65 years of age and individuals with underlying health conditions. The Vimkunya and Ixchiq vaccines, authorized in France, will be offered free of charge with a doctor's prescription as part of this initiative.
Alongside vaccination efforts, authorities are continuing their work to control the mosquitoes that transmit the disease. Operations to destroy breeding sites, awareness campaigns, and measures to limit stagnant water are being stepped up, particularly in western French Guiana where the majority of recorded cases are concentrated.
Although rarely fatal, chikungunya can cause serious complications. Authorities remind the public that many patients continue to suffer from joint pain for several months after infection. The last major outbreak recorded in French Guiana, in 2014, affected nearly one in five residents and resulted in several hundred hospitalizations for severe cases.
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