US chikungunya cases exceed 40
The number of chikungunya cases reported in the United States is now more than 40, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), state and media updates today.
Although chikungunya is not a nationally notifiable disease, they can be reported to ArboNET, the national surveillance system for arthropod-borne diseases. According to the CDC update, there are 38 travel-associated chikungunya cases reported to date. No local transmission of chikungunya in the US has been reported…yet. One locally acquired case was confirmed in Puerto Rico.
The CDC report reports a tally of 23 cases in Florida; however, today, the Florida Department of Health reported 25 cases in their weekly arbovirus surveillance. In addition, the CDC does not include the case in Allen County, Indiana reported yesterday. The Alabama individual who traveled to Haiti, returned to the US and diagnosed for chikungunya in Mississippi is also absent from the tally.
Although not yet confirmed, Tennessee health authorities say they are investigating potential chikungunya cases in individuals showing symptoms of the infection who traveled to the Caribbean. For more infectious disease news and information, visit and “like” the Infectious Disease News Facebook page
The travel-associated chikungunya cases are linked to travel to the following countries: Dominica, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Indonesia, Martinique, Saint Martin, Sint Maarten.
From 2006‒2013, studies identified an average of 28 people per year in the United States with positive tests for recent chikungunya virus infection (Range 5‒65 per year). All were travelers visiting or returning to the United States from affected areas, mostly in Asia. Only a quarter of the cases were reported to ArboNET.
As of last Friday, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has reported 135,000 cases of the mosquito borne virus since December.
Chikungunya is transmitted by daytime biting mosquitoes (Aedes species). Those who contract the illness may experience varying degrees of fever, joint and muscle pain, rash and joint swelling. Although deaths are rare, those at most risk include the elderly, those with compromised immune systems, and those who have high blood pressure, diabetes and/or heart disease. Looking for a job in health care? Check here to see what’s available
Chikungunya in the US chart/June 10
Image/CDC
[…] in the US, more than 40 travel associated chikungunya cases have been confirmed. For more infectious disease news and information, visit and “like” the […]