Planning a trip to the Caribbean for Spring Break? In addition to the sunscreen, be sure to pack mosquito repellant!
Chikungunya (CHIKV) is a viral illness spread from human to human through the bite of a mosquito. Before December of 2013, the illness had not been locally acquired in the Western Hemisphere. Since then, the number of confirmed and suspected cases of this illness in the Caribbean Islands continues to grow rapidly and as of last week reached 2115 cases.
The French Islands of the Antilles are the center of the Chikungunya epidemic. Martinique, the French side of St. Martin, The Dutch side of St. Martin, the island of St. Bart and Dominica have all reported new cases. Aruba, Anguilla, and French Guyana have reported imported cases. The British Virgin Islands have reported no new cases this week and six for the entire outbreak.
Chikungunya virus infection can cause a debilitating illness, most often characterized by fever, headache, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, muscle pain, rash, and joint pain. The term ‘chikungunya’ means ‘that which bends up’ in the Kimakonde language of Mozambique. Acute chikungunya fever typically lasts a few days to a few weeks, but, some patients have prolonged fatigue lasting several weeks.
The incubation period (time from infection to illness) can be 2-12 days, but is usually 3-7 days. Chikungunya virus infection is thought to confer life-long immunity. Fatalities related to chikungunya virus are rare.
There is no vaccine for Chikungunya and no cure. The best strategy for preventing Chikungunya virus infections is preventing mosquito bites. The use of mosquito repellents and the use of screens or netting is advised by the Center for Disease Control.
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