Investigation of a sudden malaria outbreak in the isolated Amazonian village of Saul, French Guiana, January-April 2009.

Malaria is endemic in French Guiana. Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax are the predominant species responsible and Anopheles darlingi is described as the major vector. In mid-August 2008, an increase in malaria incidence was observed in Saül.

Outbreak of Chikungunya fever in Mayotte, Comoros archipelago, 2005-2006.

In 2005-2006, a large outbreak of Chikungunya (CHIK) fever occurred on the western Indian Ocean Islands. In Mayotte, concurrent with an enhanced passive case notification system, we carried out two surveys. A seroprevalence survey designed to document recent CHIK infection was conducted on serum samples collected from pregnant women in October 2005 (n=316) and in March-April 2006 (n=629).

[Chikungunya, La Réunion and Mayotte, 2005-2006: an epidemic without a story?].

Many triggering factors for onset of emerging infectious diseases are now recognised, such as: globalisation, demographic increase, population movements, international trade, urbanisation, forest destruction, climate changes, loss in biodiversity, and extreme life conditions such as poverty, famine and war. Epidemic burden is often leading to disasters, in terms of human losses, as well as economic, political or social consequences. These outbreaks may jeopardize within a few weeks or months, industry, trade, or tourism.