France, April 5 -- Health authorities in France's Reunion Island on Friday launched an emergency plan to boost staff in hospitals to deal with the spread of the chikungunya virus. This comes as the Indian Ocean territory reported over 6,000 new cases of the mosquito-borne diseaselast month.

The University Hospital of Reunion Island announced that it had activated the so-called "white plan" in order to step up the treatment of patients suffering from chikungunya.

The plan allows for certain operations to be cancelled or staff on leave to be recalled to hospitals.

The island's two main public hospitals have opened more beds due to the sharp influx of patients but are under strain as many staff members are absent.

More than 20,000 cases ...