Our department is currently going through a serious health crisis. In addition to the Covid crisis, we are seeing epidemics of La Runion 2, dengue fever and leptospirosis, which are experiencing a significant increase in their spread (illustrative photo rb / www.ipreunion.com)
In the winter months, dengue is spreading actively and seeing an increase in cases rarely seen today. It is feared that this disease will spread more significantly and alarmingly towards the end of the year. This epidemic has become extremely worrying. We have 11,693 confirmed cases of dengue fever, 352 hospital admissions and 1,355 emergency room visits since January 1, 2021. We mourn 10 deaths directly related to dengue fever in record time. This is not possible!
The government and Minister Saint-Olivier-Ferrand have on several occasions alerted the tragic situation at La Runyon. On Tuesday, May 4, 2021, MP Karen Lebanon alerted the National Assembly to the urgency, exacerbation and severity of the epidemiological situation on our lands. However, our ministers emphasized that the situation is under control, while on the ground the number of cases does not stop increasing. How can we get the government to understand that the dismantling of the public service is the subject of discussion here?
The Covid pandemic is difficult to control, we can hear from the novelty of this disease, on the other hand, we know very well the effective and environmental means to combat dengue fever and leptospirosis. The state is fully responsible for the situation, and the question that arises is: Why does the state not provide the means?
It’s simple and effective: the goal is to put the gully plan back in place, to provide local communities with additional resources, but also to provide the most vulnerable families with mosquito repellents. What was done to fight chikungunya and made it possible to eradicate it. Mosquitoes are a vector of dengue fever, and we know how to eradicate it!
As for leptospirosis, a record 74 cases have been announced since the beginning of 2021. It is necessary to eliminate its vectors, mice, through an intensive shop campaign, as well as through intensive cleaning of our grooves.
We ask that the means be developed very quickly. The state should stop ignoring the situation in Reunion. Exceptional condition, exceptional means!
In practical terms, we are calling for strengthening the vector control service of ARS and bringing it back into compliance, as well as deploying hundreds of subsidized jobs to enable our communities and associations to combat epidemics of dengue fever and leptospirosis.
Jan Hughes Rattenon
