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Réunion

East Africa · Africa · Physician brief

📝Draft — pending physician review
📝Draft — pending physician review. This brief was compiled from CDC, WHO, and EKRM/HealthyTravel sources (June 2026) and has not yet been verified by a clinician. Confirm specifics with a travel-medicine professional before relying on it.

Chikungunya — epidemic-prone island

Réunion has a history of large chikungunya epidemics (the 2005–2006 epidemic affected about a third of the population, and renewed activity has occurred in recent years). Chikungunya causes fever and often debilitating joint pain that can last for months. Practice strict daytime mosquito-bite prevention; vaccination may be discussed for travelers at higher risk (see EKRM statement).

Santé publique France / CDC ↗ · Updated 2026

Yellow fever entry certificate

Réunion has no yellow fever risk. As a French territory, a YF vaccination certificate may be required for travelers aged ≥1 year arriving from a country with risk of YF transmission. Direct travel from Switzerland is not affected.

WHO / French entry requirements ↗ · Updated 2026

Malaria

None

Dengue

Moderate

Yellow fever

None

Chikungunya

High

Vaccines

VaccineRecommendationReference
Routine vaccines

Make sure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccines before every trip — per the Swiss BAG schedule. These include:

BAG Impfplan
Chikungunya

Réunion is one of the prime examples of chikungunya risk. Vaccination is indicated during outbreaks and may be considered for travelers at higher risk for severe disease (see EKRM statement).

—
Dengue

Qdenga® vaccination currently recommended only for travelers with documented prior dengue infection who will be exposed in a region with high dengue transmission.

—
Hepatitis A

Recommended for all travelers aged 1 year and older. Note for Swiss travelers: hepatitis A is not part of the routine Swiss BAG childhood schedule, so most adult travelers will need vaccination.

CDC Yellow Book
Hepatitis B

CDC recommends hepatitis B for unvaccinated travelers of all ages. Routine in the Swiss BAG childhood schedule — younger travelers are usually already covered; older travelers can consider it per individual risk.

CDC Yellow Book
Rabies

Réunion is considered rabies-free; pre-exposure vaccination is generally not needed for a trip limited to the island. Consider it for itineraries combining Réunion with higher-risk destinations.

CDC Yellow Book
Typhoid

Recommended mainly for those visiting friends and relatives, staying in poorer hygienic conditions, or with individual risk factors. Less essential for standard tourist stays given the island's good sanitation.

CDC Yellow Book

Disease-specific guidance

Malaria

None

No malaria risk. Réunion has no local malaria transmission; no antimalarial prophylaxis is needed. Mosquito-bite prevention is still essential because of chikungunya and dengue.

Yellow fever

None

No yellow fever risk on Réunion. A YF vaccination certificate may be required for travelers aged ≥1 year arriving from a YF-risk country. Direct travel from Switzerland is not affected.

Risk in country
None
Entry rule
Cert may be required if arriving from YF-risk country
From Switzerland
Not affected

Dengue

Moderate

Dengue circulates on Réunion with recurring seasonal outbreaks, especially during the warm, rainy southern-hemisphere summer (roughly January–May). The Aedes mosquito vector bites during the day, so daytime bite prevention is the main protection.

Distribution
Island-wide, incl. coastal towns
Season
Peaks Jan–May (warm/rainy summer)
Vector
Aedes albopictus — daytime biter

Chikungunya

High

Réunion is historically associated with massive chikungunya epidemics — the 2005–2006 outbreak infected roughly a third of the island's population, with renewed activity in recent years. Same daytime Aedes vector as dengue. Joint pain can persist for months. Vaccination is considered in outbreak settings and for higher-risk travelers (see EKRM statement).

History
Major 2005–2006 epidemic; recurring activity
Vector
Aedes albopictus — daytime biter
Symptoms
Fever + prolonged joint pain

General prevention

Food & water

As a French overseas department, Réunion has good sanitation and tap water in built-up areas is generally safe. Standard food hygiene still reduces the risk of traveler's diarrhea and hepatitis A. Excellent French-standard healthcare is available.

Mosquito protection

No malaria risk on Réunion. Daytime mosquito-bite prevention (DEET or picaridin repellent, long sleeves) is essential because of recurring chikungunya epidemics and year-round dengue — both spread by Aedes mosquitoes that bite during the day. Avoid swimming in fresh water (leptospirosis).

Sources

Based on CDC Travelers’ Health, CDC Yellow Book, and the Swiss Federal Vaccination Schedule (BAG). Always verify current recommendations before travel.

Visiting more than one country?

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Plan an itinerary

This brief is for informational purposes and does not replace personalized medical advice.
Consult a travel medicine specialist 4–8 weeks before departure.