Risk of increased cases of leptospirosis

Public Health France Reunion Island takes stock of the ongoing viral epidemic and circulation in Reunion Island.

Written by NP – Friday January 26, 2024 at 12:54 pm

Extract from the Epidemiological Report of Public Health France La Réunion

Leptospirosis

Current climatic conditions are favorable for the survival of bacteria in the environment. Also, the number of contaminations is likely to increase in the next week. It is recommended to use personal protective equipment (gloves, boots, etc.) and protect the wound before performing hazardous activities, then clean it with potable water and then disinfect it.

Postponement of fresh water activities (such as swimming, canyoning etc., especially in cloudy water conditions) is also recommended. Finally, you should consult a doctor if symptoms appear after practicing hazardous activities (gardening, market gardening, raising livestock, cleaning up the yard after a cyclone, swimming, etc.).

In Réunion, seasonal leptospirosis epidemics usually begin in January, with epidemic peaks in March or April depending on the year (see May 2023).
As of 24 January, 14 cases of biologically confirmed leptospirosis have been reported to the Reunion Health Agency since 1 January. Of these cases, 12 occurred in January 2024 (compared to 3 in the same period in 2023 and 5 in 2022. The other 2 reported cases occurred in December 2023.

As for the 2024 cases, 11 cases confirmed by blood PCR and 1 probable case presented serology above the threshold.

All these cases were male with a mean age of 56 years (min=14 years, max=65 years). Eleven of these cases lived in the south of the island (St. Pierre, St. Joseph, Le Tampon, Petite Ile, Entre Deux). ARS is conducting epidemiological and environmental investigations to implement health education, prevention and management measures, and to determine the highest risk exposures.

Note that from the end of August 2023, leptospirosis has become a notifiable disease. Any biologically confirmed case (serology, MAT) must be reported as soon as possible by a biologist or doctor using a specific mandatory reporting form. Once completed, this form must be sent to the ARS of La Reunion without delay. It will allow the initiation of investigations and the implementation of management measures.

Viral circulation of Kovid-19 has been steadily declining at the beginning of the year

In S03, the positivity rate (TP) for Covid-19 continued to decline with a rate of 15% compared to 21% in the previous week. This decline affects all age groups except 15 (+5%) and 75 and over (+4%). In the emergency room, consultations for causes of COVID-19 were also decreasing, with a difference of 32% between S02 and S03. Hospitalization after emergency consultation was stable between W02 and W03.

Viral circulation continues to decline. The positivity rate in S03 was 15 in S03 compared to 21 in the previous week, a decrease of 29% (Figure 1). Screening rates were also decreasing, going from 69 tests per 100,000 inhabitants in S 02 to 44 tests per 100,000 inhabitants in S 03. A decrease of 37%.The decrease in TP observed in S03 concerns all age groups except under 15 (+5%) and over 75 and 4%.

Epidemic bronchiolitis

Emergency room visits for bronchiolitis in children younger than 2 years fluctuate and begin to decrease again in S03 compared to the previous week. In S03, 42 children under 2 years of age were in the emergency room for bronchiolitis versus 71 in S02.

The number of new hospitalizations decreased in S03 with 22 hospitalizations compared to 30 hospitalizations in S02.

The share of emergency room visits for bronchiolitis among all visits in children under two years of age decreased to 15.8% in S03 compared to 18.8% in S02.

Regarding virological surveillance, the positivity rate for RSV in those under two years of age increased to 53% in S03 (49% in S02 versus 49% with the majority of circulating RSV type A.

Reunion Island remains in an epidemic of bronchiolitis as of early 2024.