The Minister of health Frédéric Valletoux announced this Wednesday, February 1, his intention to go to Mayotte on May 9 and 10, while the department is facing dozens of cases of cholera.
“The situation is under control.” The Minister for Health Frédéric Valletoux gave an update on the “increase” in cholera cases in Mayotte since mid-March. There are now 35 patients who have been identified, “native” cases, that is to say which developed directly in the department.
“The State takes the situation very seriously and the teams are fully mobilized. The local authorities will continue the work to support the Mahorais territory in this health situation,” he explained this Wednesday, May 1 in an interview with France Télévisions .
In this context of rapid increase in the number of cases, the Minister Delegate announced that he would go there on May 9 and 10.
Overwhelmed health services
The minister also announced the mobilization of several dozen health professionals from the health reserve. Valuable reinforcements in this department which does not have the staff to respond to the current crisis.
Two “cholera units” are currently active to treat patients within the CHM. But the allocation of resources to supply these units was done despite other care, as the Mayotte Regional Health Agency explained to BFMTV.com this Monday.
“The Mayotte Hospital Center had to close part of the activity of its dispensaries and its first non-urgent consultations to be able to ensure the activity of this second anti-cholera unit”, specified Bastien Morvan, the chief of staff of the ARS.
Actions to raise awareness of hygiene rules – and in particular the importance of hand washing – are provided to the population during health patrols. Vaccines are also administered to those around patients. At this stage, no deaths have been reported as a result of infection.
