Florida: Travel-associated Chikungunya cases increase by six
Six cases of chikungunya fever were reported this week in persons that had international travel and are residents of Broward, Leon, Miami-Dade, Orange, Osceola, and Polk Counties. In 2014, 48 travel-associated cases have been reported in residents from 20 counties, according to the Florida Department of Health.
Aedes mosquito Image/CDC
The 48 imported cases are associated with travel to the following Caribbean countries: Dominica, Dominican Republic (9), Haiti (36), and Martinique (2).
Concerning imported dengue fever and malaria in the Sunshine State, one additional case of malaria was reported while dengue fever cases remain unchanged.
Volusia County is currently under a mosquito-borne illness advisory. No other counties are currently under mosquito-borne illness advisory or alert.
According to a World Health Organization (WHO) Fact Sheet, Chikungunya is a viral disease that is spread by mosquitoes. It causes fever and severe joint pain.Other symptoms include muscle pain, headache, nausea, fatigue and rash.
The disease shares some clinical signs with dengue, and can be misdiagnosed in areas where dengue is common.
There is no cure for the disease. Treatment is focused on relieving the symptoms. The proximity of mosquito breeding sites to human habitation is a significant risk factor for chikungunya.
The disease occurs in Africa, Asia and the Indian subcontinent. In recent decades mosquito vectors of chikungunya have spread to Europe and the Americas. In 2007, disease transmission was reported for the first time in Europe, in a localized outbreak in north-eastern Italy.
The CDC notes there is currently no vaccine or medicine to prevent chikungunya. People can protect themselves by preventing mosquito bites. For more infectious disease news and information, visit and “like” the Infectious Disease News Facebook page
