La Réunion Leptospirosis Outbreak: 142 Cases Reported

Public health officials in La Réunion reported 142 cases of leptospirosis since the beginning of 2026, with numbers rising sharply during the austral summer months. The increase has prompted targeted interventions, including a rat extermination campaign at Bassin Bleu, a site previously linked to multiple infections.

According to Santé Publique France, the seasonal surge continues at an elevated level, though case counts typically begin to decline in May. So far this year, 61 individuals have required hospitalization due to the bacterial infection, which spreads through contact with water or soil contaminated by animal urine.

Officials noted a significant shift in transmission patterns, with more infections occurring during freshwater recreational activities such as swimming, fishing, and canyoning compared to the previous year. Thirty cases were recorded in April alone, following 66 in March—a figure that surpassed the 64 cases reported during the same period in 2024.

In response, authorities launched a deratization operation at Bassin Bleu on Friday, April 17, 2026, installing 30 traps in the area to reduce rodent populations. The site had been identified as a location where prior contaminations occurred, prompting renewed efforts to curb environmental spread.

Health experts emphasize that heavy rainfall and high temperatures create ideal conditions for the leptospira bacteria to survive in freshwater environments, increasing exposure risks during outdoor activities. Preventive measures, including avoiding contact with potentially contaminated water and wearing protective gear, remain critical in reducing transmission.

The ongoing outbreak underscores the importance of monitoring zoonotic diseases in tropical climates, where environmental factors can amplify bacterial persistence and human vulnerability. Continued surveillance and community awareness are essential to mitigating further spread as the season progresses.