[Chikungunya virus infection in the Indian Ocean: lessons learned and perspectives].

After a brief overview of the history of arbovirus epidemics in the Indian Ocean in XIXth and XXth centuries, a full evaluation of the chikungunya epidemic that occurred in 2005-2006 is provided including both lessons learned and future perspectives. On the positive side, the epidemic has allowed improvement of clinical and pathophysiological knowledge, epidemiological surveillance, vector control, awareness of entomology, avenues for research, and understanding of economic and societal repercussions. On the negative side, the epidemic revealed the limitations of a health care system in an island setting, need for an effective sanitary policy, low public-spiritedness, poor diffusion and understanding of public health announcements, endemization of chikungunya virus in the Indian Ocean, absence of vaccine, and global spread of tropical disease. Discussion of perspectives for future arbovirus disease outbreaks in the Indian Ocean is set against the background of climatic change, unequal socioeconomic progress, and high population growth in the Indian Ocean region.