[Chikungunya crisis on Reunion Island. Media coverage and conflicting public information].

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to analyze media coverage of the health crisis created by the chikungunya epidemic on Reunion Island in 2005/2006. In reaction to nformation provided to the public, the media overstated the sanitary risk. Analysis of the press corpus corresponding to that period reveals an exaggerated account of the epidemic aimed at echoing the genuine distress expressed by victims and their family. Based on the feedback principle, the article suggests a relationship between this situation and information provided to the public about the crisis.