Analyse sociodémographique descriptive de l’épidémie de choléra à Mayotte en 2024

Introduction: Mayotte, the less developed French department, faced a cholera epidemic in 2024. Occurrence and propagation of the disease on the territory was possible and favored by diverse factors such as healthcare access issues, running water supply constraints and lack of sanitation. This study aims to describe the epidemiological and social features of patients treated for cholera in Mayotte.Material and methodology: We made a quantitative, observational, descriptive and retro-prospective study of cholera cases during the 2024 epidemic in Mayotte. The study was carried out from march 17 to July 12 of 2024.Results: The sample includes 206 cholera patients identified with PCR tests. Median age was 19 years old, 105 patients (51%) were under 18 (age of majority in France), 97 were women (47%). This population affected by cholera presents high precarity indicators compared to the rest of Mayotte’s inhabitants: 30 of them (19%) benefited from social security coverage, 68 (33%) declared having access to running water, 103 (50%) used river water daily. 83 patients (40%) had a severe form of the disease. No significant gravity difference was noticed depending on the age, sex, social coverage or vaccination status. Nevertheless, a non-significant trend over an increased risk of severe cholera was noticed for those drinking the river water (p=0,07). Patients required higher filling volumes and a longer hospitalization time, without any death counted.Conclusion: During the 2024 epidemic in Mayotte, cholera affected mainly the populations living in precarious conditions, such as unsanitary housing and limited running water access. Social vulnerability is associated with the risk of developing an illness, not with its severity. Through this study, public decision-makers have new datas and commentaries in order to understand better the socio-environmental causes of the epidemic. Thus, they may take durable decisions regarding the prevention of the sanitary risks for the mahorese population.