A second case of Zika in the meeting. The information has been confirmed by the Regional Health Agency (ARS). The first patient was identified in early March on the island.
This time it is “a person who stayed very recently in Martinique”, where an epidemic is currently raging, according to the terms of theARS taken over by AFP. As soon as she arrived in Reunion Island, she began to show symptoms of the disease (skin rash, fever, joint pain, headaches, fatigue). Supported by her attending physician, she was referred to a laboratory for laboratory confirmation. The diagnosis of Zika virus infection was then confirmed on April 25.
“Preventive measures were immediately implemented with the person concerned and their entourage in order to avoid any risk of the virus spreading in Reunion,” points out the ARS in a press release. The infected person remained confined to their home. Vector control measures have been taken around his home.
The ARS recalls that no case of Zika contracted on the spot and not during a trip, has been identified on the island. “Reunion therefore has no circulation of the Zika virus to date”.
The Zika virus is particularly rife in South America, although the epidemic is on the decline according to the World Health Organization. The number of probable cases of contamination by the virus is estimated at 91,000 Zika in Brazil.
Read also: 5 questions about the Zika virus
Our dossier on the Zika virus
Zika virus is scary because it mutates very quickly