An outbreak of cholera in Mayotte has affected 65 people, including a 3-year-old child who died on Wednesday, announced the Minister of Health, Frédéric Valletoux, during his visit to the archipelago on May 10th. He reported that 3,700 people had been vaccinated. The outbreak is currently confined to the Kirson neighborhood in Koungou, with a slow increase in the number of cases. Valletoux stated that the situation is under control thanks to the health services’ intervention in vaccination, patient care, and support for those affected.
The cholera outbreak began on March 18th in Mayotte, the 101st French department located in the Indian Ocean, with initial cases originating from neighboring Comoros, where the outbreak has already claimed 98 lives. The vaccination strategy for cholera involves vaccinating those in close contact with infected individuals, rather than mass vaccination. In Mayotte, over 3,700 people have been vaccinated in the Kirson neighborhood alone. The Minister mentioned that there are sufficient vaccine supplies on the island, with more expected to arrive in the following week.
Cholera is transmitted through contaminated water, and the government is ensuring ongoing water distribution and installation of water points in affected neighborhoods to prevent further spread. Additionally, 86 reservists, including nurses and doctors, have been deployed from mainland France to provide support. Valletoux acknowledged the challenges faced by the local healthcare system, which has only one hospital and five emergency doctors serving a population of around 310,000 residents, although the actual population may be underestimated.
The healthcare teams in Mayotte are working under extreme pressure, leading to the need for hospital expansion and modernization works worth 242 million euros, which are set to begin in a few weeks. The government has also committed to building a second hospital in another part of the island. The systematic government investments and support are aimed at improving healthcare infrastructure and capacity on the island to better address future health crises, including epidemics like cholera. The commitment to strengthening the healthcare system reflects the government’s focus on the welfare and health of the residents of Mayotte.
