The ARS presented this Monday the results of epidemiological and environmental investigations carried out since the discovery of a case of cholera this Saturday in Mayotte. This is a patient who arrived by plane from the African continent. At this stage “no warning signals” have been detected regarding possible transmission of the disease.
Cholera has returned to Mayotte. After 214 cases detected in the department between March 18 and July 2, 2024, a first patient was treated at the CHM this Saturday, January 18, a few hours after his arrival by plane in Mayotte from the African continent. An epidemiological investigation as well as an environmental investigation at his place of residence were organized to identify a possible spread of the disease.
“To date, we are in the situation of an imported case, without active circulation on the Mahorais territory.“, specifies this Monday Sébastien Delescluse, the interim director of the ARS, referring to a “reassuring risk analysis.“The patient is isolated at the CHM, the specific care circuit for these cases of cholera has been responsive. Vehicles are already equipped to react if a possible new case is detected”to disinfect homes, search for contact cases and begin treatment and vaccination.“
For the moment, the discovery of an imported case does not justify general vaccination of the population. “We have preventive vaccination for people on the front line such as caregivers, and then reactive vaccination for contact cases, people in the household who have been in immediate proximity“, continues the director. “There is no difficulty in stocking vaccines at the moment.“Several hundred vaccines are available on the island and 10,000 doses have been prepositioned in Reunion, as announced by the former Minister of Health, Geneviève Darrieussecq.
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©Mayotte the 1st
Health controls at the border have been reversed with prevention measures for passengers. Asked about the risk posed by the regular arrivals of kwassas from the Comoros on the Mahoran coasts, the prefect brushed aside: “The WHO, which is the body that monitors epidemic development, has not recorded any cases of cholera in the Comoros.”
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As during the first cholera epidemic, the authorities reiterate the prevention instructions: contact 15 if you have diarrhea and if you have traveled to an area where cholera is actively circulating. To avoid contracting the disease, you should wash your hands regularly and drink clean water. An easy recommendation to follow, when you have regular access to running water. With the extensive damage caused by Cyclone Chido, several public health stakeholders, such as the Santé Publique France agency, have warned of the risk of developing water-borne diseases.
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