If you have plans to visit Reunion in the Indian Ocean, be warned
that in late Jan 2006, France drafted 400 troops to help fight a
mosquito-borne virus there. The troops, already stationed on the
island, will join more than 1,500 people already engaged in the
campaign to eradicate mosquitoes. Some 30,000 islanders have been
hit by the Chikungunya virus since March, and officials say
thousands of new cases are emerging every week. If you think you
have it – it is not usually life threatening, though there is no
cure; symptoms include muscle pain and fever – seek medical help.
but is usually not life-threatening.