El Salvador health officials diagnose 1,200 people with chikungunya: Report

On Wednesday of last week, the El Salvador Ministry of Health (computer translated) reported an outbreak of febrile illness with skin rash, joint pains and muscle from late May outside of Ayutuxtepeque. More than one hundred experienced these symptoms and laboratory tests ruled out dengue, measles, rubella, parvovirus, toxoplasmosis, cytomegalovirus and leptospirosis.

Now the AFP is reporting that Health Minister Violeta Menjivar said at least 1,200 people have been formally diagnosed with the chikungunya viral disease, although the positive testing must still be confirmed by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has reported in excess of 170,000 cases as of Friday. In Central America prior to this report, only Panama has reported any chikungunya cases (2 imported).

El Salvador health officials advise the public if they have the above symptoms to go to the nearest health team; avoid self-medication; drink plenty of oral fluids; avoid attending mass gatherings, and not sent to school for children with the symptoms described. For more infectious disease news and information, visit and “like” the Infectious Disease News Facebook page

Central America map/CIA