Chikungunya in the Caribbean: Eight cases confirmed in Saint Barthelemy
In a follow-up to a report Sunday, where there was 11 suspected cases of the mosquito borne virus, chikungunya, the Regional Agency for Health (ARS) is now reporting eight confirmed cases in the Territorial collectivity of Saint Barthélemy, or St. Barts, according to a La Parisienne report Wednesday (computer translated).
Saint Barthelemy map/CIA
Health officials say, “In light of epidemics of dengue and chikungunya that affect the Island of Saint Martin, it remains imperative to continue the activities of epidemiological and entomological surveillance and fight against the mosquito, Aedes aegypti, the single vector of these viruses “
Cases of chikungunya virus infections identified in December 2013 in the Caribbean are due to an “Asian strain” virus, and there is an “extremely high risk” of transmission in the United States, a French specialist said last Friday.
The report notes that “mosquito spraying are regularly organized by the services of ARS and will intensify in the coming days”.
In related news, the World Health Organization (WHO) released an updated Chikungunya Fact Sheet earlier this week. Some of the factoids highlighted include “Since 2004, chikungunya fever has reached epidemic proportions, with considerable morbidity and suffering.” and “The disease shares some clinical signs with dengue, and can be misdiagnosed in areas where dengue is common.”
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[…] Elsewhere in that area of the Caribbean, the report says there are 7 confirmed and 2 probable cases on the island of Saint Barthélemy. This differs slightly with a previous report from the Regional Agency for Health (ARS), which reported eight confirmed cases. […]