Fear of Chikungunya is not lessened.

 Health Authorities have officially recognized the existence of Chikungunya in Madagascar.  This terrible fever in all its forms continues to cause serious concern and deaths. Nevertheless the OMS believes the media have done us a dis-service by exaggerating the situation. The fever epidemic continues no matter what they say, to cause many to fall ill. To publicly admit that Chikungunya is here will negatively affect tourism. Hotels are experiencing cancellations; this is no doubt a bad sign even if so far it has not yet appeared to affect airline bookings. The threat is real. The health ministry has an obligation to announce that it is here. Bad news for the tourism industry for sure! Matera says,? In Toamasina on the east coast there are reports of about a dozen deaths attributed to the fever over the last few weeks, according to a local source. The most recent of these deaths was of a French national in his 60s who had suffered from this terrible fever. His body will soon be repatriated to Reunion by his family who live there. Our sister isle has also suffered greatly at the hands of this terrible Chikungunya.?