The highly contagious disease, which is transmitted to humans by mosquitoes or close contact with contaminated animals, has infected 52 people in Niger's western region of Tahoua since late August, the country's health ministry said. ###>En réaction à ce début d'épidémie, l'ONG médicale Alima a ouvert un centre de soins à Tchintabaraden, près de Tahoua, dans l'ouest du pays.