Health situation still worrying two months after Cyclone Chido.
Two months after the devastating passage of Cyclone Chido, the health situation in Mayotte, the French Overseas Territory located in the Indian Ocean between Madagascar and the coast of Mozambique, is still being closely monitored by Santé publique France-Mayotte. Although some indicators show some improvement, major health risks remain on the island.
Between 3 and 9 February 2025, the number of visits to the emergency room fell again, with 872 consultations recorded, representing a 25% reduction in visits compared to December 2024, reports Santé publique France-Mayotte. However, trauma remains the main cause of referrals, although its frequency has increased slightly in recent days. Since the end of December 2024, the average number of visits per day has fallen from 185 to 137, a worrying indicator that could lead to fears that injuries related to the debris and destruction caused by the cyclone will continue.
Digestive disorders and skin infections on the rise again
After rising in recent weeks, digestive problems have fallen slightly since mid-January 2025, giving way to skin infections, which have risen sharply in recent weeks. These illnesses are now commonplace and have become a major reason for consultations at medical reference centres. According to epidemiologists, the number of consultations for skin infections has risen sharply since the beginning of February 2025, due to the particularly difficult sanitary and hygienic conditions. Almost two months after the cyclone, the archipelago’s water supply is still severely disrupted, with water cuts lasting more than twenty-four hours, three times a week, combined with frequent interruptions in water distribution due to insufficient water production or various incidents such as breakdowns or breakages.
Influenza and bronchiolitis: epidemics continue unabated
Although the influenza virus appears to be receding slightly, it remains a threat to the population, with a persistently high rate of positive respiratory specimens. At the same time, the bronchiolitis epidemic continues to circulate among infants, with a stable rate of 12% of samples positive for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). This combination of epidemics is putting considerable pressure on Mauritania’s health system.
Critical access to food and water
In just one and a half months, 27 cases of typhoid have been reported in Mayotte, an alarming number compared to the 58 cases recorded for the whole of 2024. The situation is exacerbated by the lack of water following the cyclone, particularly in the villages of Vahibé and M’Tsapéré. In response to this increase, vaccination campaigns are being organised under the coordination of the regional health agency. Food-borne infections, particularly those related to enteric pathogens, remain a major problem on the island. Since the beginning of February, 81% of stool samples have revealed the presence of bacteria responsible for gastrointestinal problems, and sales of anti-diarrhoeal medicines and oral rehydration solutions (ORS) in pharmacies continue to rise, accounting for almost 6% of total pharmacy sales, a figure well above the average for previous years. In addition, 55% of households surveyed by local voluntary organisations reported increased food shortages since the cyclone, particularly in the poorer areas of Mamoudzou. In addition, around 30% of households reported psychological problems, such as increased anxiety, affecting both adults and children.
