France, April 16 -- Six people have died from chikungunya on the French overseas department of Reunion Island since the start of the year, health officials confirmed on Wednesday. The mosquito-borne virus has infected more than 33,000 people on the island so far.

The deaths, between 10 and 30 March, were of people aged over 70 with underlying health conditions, the latest bulletin from France's public health agency, Sante Publique France said.

The agency also said that several other deaths were being investigated to determine whether the virus was a factor.

An epidemic was declared onReunion Islandon 13 January, following a surge in cases that began in August 2024.

Health officials linked the outbreak to rising mosquito numbers during...