3,112 Chikungunya cases confirmed in the Caribbean
From Caribbean New Media Group
There have been 3,112 confirmed/probable cases of Chikungunya in the Caribbean to date.
The Chikungunya virus is transmitted to humans mostly through the virus-carrying Aedes Aegypti mosquito and those of the Aedes species.
The first confirmed case was in St. Martin in December 2013 and since then, that country has reported 784 confirmed/probable cases with 2,750 suspected cases. Three people have died from Chikungunya in St. Martin.
Officials from the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) said additional cases have been reported in other countries in the Caribbean.
The following is the list as of April 1st 2014:
Anguilla:
Confirmed/Probable Cases: 14
Suspected Cases: N/A
# of Deaths: 0
Aruba:
Confirmed/Probable Cases: 1
Suspected Cases: N/A
# of Deaths: 0
British Virgin Islands:
Confirmed/Probable Cases: 7
Suspected Cases: N/A
# of Deaths: 0
Dominica:
Confirmed/Probable Cases: 72
Suspected Cases: 487
# of Deaths: 0
French Guiana:
Confirmed/Probable Cases: 35
Suspected Cases: N/A
# of Deaths: 0
Guadeloupe:
Confirmed/Probable Cases: 734
Suspected Cases: 2,270
# of Deaths: 0
Martinique:
Confirmed/Probable Cases: 1,207
Suspected Cases: 9,340
# of Deaths: 2
St. Barthelemy:
Confirmed/Probable Cases: 134
Suspected Cases: 435
# of Deaths: 0
St. Kitts and Nevis:
Confirmed/Probable Cases: 1
Suspected Cases: N/A
# of Deaths: 0
Sint Maarten:
Confirmed/Probable Cases: 123
Suspected Cases: N/A
# of Deaths: 0
St. Martin:
Confirmed/Probable Cases: 784
Suspected Cases: 2,750
# of Deaths: 3
Case definitions:
Suspected Case: A patient with acute onset of fever > 38 C and severe arthralgia or arthritis not explained by other medical conditions, and who resides or has visited epidemic or endemic areas within 2 weeks prior to the onset of symptoms.
Probable Case: A suspected case with a positive result for Chikungunya by IfM ELISA.
Confirmed Case: A suspected case with a positive result for Chikungunya by viral isolation, RT-PCR or 4-fold increase in Chikungunya virus specific antibody titres (samples colelcted at least 2 to 3 weeks apart.)
* Symptoms, Diagnosis, & Treatment of Chikungunya (http://www.cdc.gov/chikungunya/symptoms/)
Symptoms:
– Most people infected with chikungunya virus will develop some symptoms.
– Symptoms usually begin 3–7 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito.
– The most common symptoms are fever and joint pain.
Other symptoms may include headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, or rash.
Chikungunya disease does not often result in death, but the symptoms can be severe and disabling.
Most patients feel better within a week. In some people, the joint pain may persist for months.
People at risk for more severe disease include newborns infected around the time of birth, older adults (≥65 years), and people with medical conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart disease.
Once a person has been infected, he or she is likely to be protected from future infections.
Diagnosis:
– The symptoms of chikungunya are similar to those of dengue, another disease spread by mosquitoes.
– See your doctor if you develop the symptoms described above.
– If you have recently traveled, tell your doctor.
– Your doctor may order blood tests to look for chikungunya or other similar diseases.
Treatment:
– There is no medicine to treat chikungunya virus infection or disease.
Decrease the symptoms:
– Get plenty of rest
– Drink fluids to prevent dehydration
– Take medicines, such as ibuprofen, naproxen, acetaminophen, or paracetamol, to relieve fever and pain.
For more on this story go to: http://www.ctntworld.com/cnews2/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=9590:3-112-chikungunya-cases-confirmed-in-the-caribbean&catid=137&Itemid=707
See also iNews Cayman related story published April 2 2014 “St Lucia latest Caribbean island to record a case of chikungunya disease” at: http://www.ieyenews.com/wordpress/st-lucia-latest-caribbean-island-to-record-a-case-of-chikungunya-disease/
Related story:
Calls for Caribbean to establish single approach to prevent spread of chikungunya
From Caribbean360
KINGSTON, Jamaica, Tuesday April 8, 2014, CMC – Jamaica has called for a regional approach to the fight against the introduction and spread of the chikungunya disease.
Health Minister Dr Fenton Ferguson participating in a briefing to launch World Health Day 2014, which is being observed Monday with the theme “Small Bite, Big Threat” said there is no treatment or vaccine for disease spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito and the only effective means of prevention is to protect individuals from mosquito bites.
Symptoms include a sudden high fever, severe pain in the wrists, ankles or knuckles, muscle pain, headache, nausea, and rash. Joint pain and stiffness are more common with chikungunya than with dengue.
The symptoms appear between four to seven days after the bite of an infected mosquito. The majority of clinical signs and symptoms last three to 10 days, but joint pain may persist longer. Severe cases requiring hospitalisation are rare.
The first case of the disease in the Caribbean was reported in the French island of St. Martin last year. Since then it has spread to several countries with Dominica and St. Lucia last week urging nationals to adhere to measures to prevent the spread of the disease.
Dr. Ferguson said Jamaica is at risk because of the broad distribution of the vector, as well as the high mobility of persons around the region.
He suggested that all countries in the Americas implement the recommendations of PAHO/WHO in the guidelines entitled: ‘Preparedness and Response for Chikungunya Virus, Introduction in the Americas’. These include detection of cases through establishing and strengthening Dengue surveillance systems; managing cases through training and assessment of impact on society; and implementation of effective public communication strategies.
PHOTO: Health Minister Dr Fenton Ferguson said Jamaica is at risk because of the broad distribution of the vector, as well as the high mobility of persons around the region. (File photo)
