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/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vahib%C3%A9
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Five cases of diphtheria identified in schools in Vahibé
Date:September 16, 2025
Five cases of diphtheria have reportedly been confirmed in Vahibé. They reportedly affect the Vahibé 2 nursery school and elementary school. The five families are currently being monitored by the Regional Health Agency (ARS) and have received vaccinations. The education authority has also been informed of the situation. According to several parents, parental authorizations for diphtheria vaccinations have been sent to them in order to vaccinate the children at both schools.
Diphtheria primarily affects the throat and respiratory tract. In severe cases, the disease leads to cardiac complications, paralysis, or asphyxiation. Without treatment, it is fatal in 5 to 10% of cases, and more so in children. In France, vaccination coverage has virtually eliminated the disease. This context fuels concerns, and some suggest that cases originate from unvaccinated populations from countries where vaccination is not mandatory.
If the measures currently in place in schools are confirmed, they should make it possible to quickly strengthen students' immunity and limit the risk of a wider spread across the country.
https://www.linfokwezi.fr/cinq-cas-de-diphterie-identifies-dans-les-ecoles-a-vahibe/
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Several cases of diphtheria recorded in the village of Vahibé
Alexis Duclos • Published on September 16, 2025 at 7:28 p.m.
According to a mother of students at Vahibé 2 school, the first case of diptheria was reported in the village two weeks ago. It involved a young girl. Since this bacterial disease is contagious (it is transmitted through spit), her family was screened. Her brother tested positive.
"Following this, there were screenings in two classes in Vahibé 2 on Tuesday, September 9. Three were detected, two officially ," continues the Vahibé resident, who regrets the lack of communication. She cites as an example the teachers who were informed only the following Thursday. Cases are said to be multiplying in this remote village in the commune of Mamoudzou.
A meeting took place this Saturday, September 13, with the Mayotte education authority* and the Regional Health Agency*, the second of which confirmed the existence of several cases in Vahibé. During the meeting with parent representatives and school principals, the ARS reportedly assured that health authorities would disinfect the school and that a vaccination campaign would be launched for adults during the upcoming holidays.
Meanwhile, this Tuesday, two nurses arrived at Vahibé 2 school to carry out a vaccination campaign. "But there are no samples being taken, we don't know if there are any new cases," the mother worried.
A mandatory vaccine
While diphtheria regularly resurges in Mayotte, childhood vaccination remains the main weapon in the fight against the bacteria. In France, vaccination is mandatory, but this is not the case in neighboring countries. In Vahibé, the mother of a student would like to see school admission made conditional on up-to-date vaccinations, even if it means closing the school until the children are vaccinated. "We shouldn't wait until cases are reported," she argues.
*The Mayotte Rectorate and the Regional Health Agency were contacted, but did not provide any response as of Tuesday evening.
https://la1ere.franceinfo.fr/mayott...censes-dans-le-village-de-vahibe-1623551.html