Chikungunya Virus infection spreading to U.S. and Cuba is now confirmed. Health officials have just confirmed the spreading of the Chikungunya Virus infection in Cuba and some areas of the United States, reports CNN.
According to the World Health Organization, the Chikungunya Virus infection has been spreading since December in the Caribbean. It was reported to have begun spreading via infected mosquitoes.
New to the Americas, states in the U.S. affected by the Chikungunya Virus infection include Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee, according to CNN. Meanwhile, Tulsa World reports around 2.36 p.m. that Oklahoma was also hit by the Chikungunya Virus infection. Also, according to the Tallahassee Democrat, Leon County in Florida have been struck by the virus as well.
It was Thursday that the Georgia Department of Public Health established the state's first case of the Chikungunya Virus infection. According to health officials, the infected patient was contaminated while a on a trip to the Caribbean.
The cases of the Chikungunya Virus infection reported in North Carolina and Tennessee came from a CDC spokesperson this year, citing a total of 57 infections.
In Leon County, Florida, the Chikungunya Virus infection of two county residents was reported by Leon County health officials on Wednesday. According to Leon County Health Officer Claudia Blackburn, the residents contracted the illness from their trips to Haiti.
In the case in Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Department of Health reported one Tulsa County resident having tested positive for the Chikungunya Virus infection. It is reportedly the first confirmed case of the disease in the state.
Meanwhile, in Cuba, six cases of Chikungunya Virus infection were documented, reports a local paper having referenced the Cuban Ministry of Public Health. According to the newspaper, the patients were likely infected due to being frequent travelers to Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
According to the Associated Press, symptoms of people with the Chikungunya Virus infection include high fever and severe pain in multiple joints, headache, muscle pain, joint swelling and rash.
According to the Pan American Health Organization (PDF), about 5,000 cases of Chikungunya Virus infection have been confirmed in the Caribbean this year. The PDF also cited areas infected were the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Though there may be no cure or vaccine for a Chikungunya Virus infection, prevention is still better than cure. CNN says that preventing mosquito bites is best to avoid infection.
According to the Leon County Health Department, methods for avoiding risk of Chikungunya Virus infection include the following:
- Drain standing water to stop mosquitoes from multiplying.
- Drain water from garbage cans, house gutters, buckets, pool covers, coolers, toys, flower pots or any other containers where sprinkler or rain water has collected.
- Discard old tires, drums, bottles, cans, pots and pans, broken appliances and other items that aren't being used.
- Empty and clean birdbaths and pet's water bowls at least once or twice a week.
- Protect boats and vehicles from rain with tarps that don't accumulate water.
- Maintain swimming pools in good condition and appropriately chlorinated. Empty plastic swimming pools when not in use.
- Cover skin with clothing or repellent.
- Wear shoes, socks, long pants and long-sleeves.
- Apply mosquito repellent to bare skin and clothing.
- Always use repellents according to the label. Repellents with DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus and IR3535 are effective.
- Cover doors and windows with screens to keep mosquitoes out.
- Keep mosquitoes out of your house. Repair broken screens on windows, doors, porches, and patios.
Chikungunya Virus infection may also be prevented by following basic tips below from experts, reports CNN:
- Use bug spray if you are going out, especially in tropical or wooded areas near water.
- Get rid of standing water; empty plastic pools, flower pots and pet dishes so mosquitoes don't breed in them.
- Dress appropriately in long sleeves and pants.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
