Reunion dengue outbreak nears 10,000, Pilot tests for release of sterile mosquitoes begins The dengue epidemic continues on Reunion Island: indicators are still increasing, illustrating a larger epidemic this year than at the same date last year. In 2019 and 2020, there were 18,206 and 16,050 cases, respectively. Through May 4, 9,740 confirmed dengue cases have been reported since the beginning of the year, including 289 hospitalizations and two deaths directly linked to the virus. Confirmed cases and isolated cases have been reported in 21 communes, mostly in the West. Pilot tests for the release of sterile male mosquitoes, on the ground and then by drone, have started in Saint-Joseph, with the aim of reducing, or even eliminating locally, the populations of one of the mosquito vector species of dengue.