Following the continued regional outbreak of the chikungunya virus, local medical personnel are on high alert.

Staff of the Health Services Authority (HSA) and other local medical services providers have been advised to look for any local cases,” said Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kiran Kumar.

Dr Kumar added, “So far there have been no suspected cases in the Cayman Islands, should there be any we have arrangements with the Caribbean Public Health Agency in Trinidad (CARPHA) for Laboratory testing.”

“There are no borders for communicable diseases. The easy access and frequency of air travel to endemic areas put persons at risk for the chikungunya virus. If someone is bitten by an infected mosquito in countries where chikungunya exists, the infection can be acquired. It is therefore paramount that the public protect themselves from mosquito bites by using mosquito repellents, wearing long sleeve clothing and pants tucked into socks during travels, as chikungunya is a mosquito borne disease,” he noted.

In December 2013, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported the first local transmission of chikungunya virus in the Western Hemisphere identified in Saint Martin.

Fifteen Caribbean countries have since reported cases of chikungunya. They are Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, British Virgin Islands, Dominica, the Dominican Republic, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Haiti, Martinique, Saint Barthelemy, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Martin, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Lucia (imported case) and Saint Maarten. As of 16 June 2014, a total of 165,800 suspected and 4,805 laboratory-confirmed Chikungunya cases had been reported from these areas. More than 95% of these cases have been reported from five jurisdictions: Dominican Republic (77,320 cases), Martinique (35,000), Guadeloupe (35,000) Haiti (11,802), and Saint Martin (3,380).

The chikungunya virus is transmitted by the aedes aegypti mosquito that also transmits dengue. Chikungunya is characterized by an abrupt onset of fever frequently accompanied by joint pains. The joint pains are often very debilitating, but usually last for a few days or may be prolonged to weeks. Most patients recover fully, but in some cases joint pains may persist for several months, or even years. Occasional cases of eye, neurological and heart complications have been reported.

Serious complications are not common, but in older people, the disease can contribute to the cause of death. Often symptoms in infected individuals are mild and the infection may go unrecognized, or be misdiagnosed in areas where dengue occurs.

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 pains may last for months or years. Severe cases requiring hospitalization are rare.

There is no specific treatment for chikungunya infection, nor any vaccine to prevent it.

Measures for controlling the spread of chikungunya are the same of those applied for the control of dengue as both diseases are transmitted by the same mosquito, Aedes aegypti. Therefore, until a new vaccine is developed, the only effective means of prevention is to protect individuals against mosquito bites.

Visitors or returning residents from the endemic countries, with fever and severe joint pains, should consult a physician and advice of travel history to enable them to assess and test for chikungunya.

A travel health clinic is held on Thursdays in the Public Health Department at the Health Services Authority’s George Town Hospital.

Minister for Health Hon. Osbourne Bodden urged residents of the Cayman Islands to be aware of the virus, and to get proper advice as required. He noted: “Residents with travel plans can get advice on what diseases are present in their country of destination, and what vaccines or precautions are needed.”

Further information can be obtained by contacting 244-2648.

Side Bar:

Key Facts on Chikungunya

• Chikungunya is a viral disease transmitted to humans by infected 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.
• Since 2004, chikungunya fever has reached epidemic proportions globally, with considerable morbidity and suffering.
• 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 a localized outbreak in north-eastern Italy.

Related story:

Chikungunya cases approach 400 as St Vincent steps up mosquito control programme

From Caribbean360

KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent, Friday June 20, 2014, CMC – The Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment says it is continuing to address the chikungunya outbreak in the country, where 396 confirmed cases have been recorded, mostly on the northern Grenadine island of Bequia.

“The Insect Vector Control Unit continues to carry out vector control measures on mainland St. Vincent and also in the Grenadines. Fogging operations have also been targeting specific areas where mass crowds are expected to gather for the Carnival activities,” the ministry stated on Thursday.

Vector control measures and public sensitization programmes are taking place across the nation and efforts aimed at eradicating the aedes aegypti mosquito that carries the virus have intensified.

Clean up activities have also been taking place in several communities as part of efforts to deprive the mosquito of a breeding ground.

In addition to the vector control measures, the Health Promotion Unit has embarked on a public education campaign, which includes visits to schools, communities and business places to sensitize individuals on the virus and provide information on how they can better protect themselves.

“Given that there is no current cure for the chinkungunya virus, the best course of action is to avoid mosquito bites. Therefore, the Ministry of Health Wellness and the Environment is urging all Vincentians to keep their surroundings clean and to get rid of receptacles that can serve as breeding sites for the aedes aegypti mosquito,” the ministry further stated.

Chikungunya is a mosquito borne disease transmitted by the bite of an infected aedes aegypti mosquito. Signs and symptoms include an abrupt onset of fever frequently accompanied by joint pain, muscle pain, headache, nausea, fatigue and rash.

The ministry said anyone experiencing these signs and symptoms should contact their health care provider immediately.

For more on this story go to: http://www.caribbean360.com/news/chikungunya-cases-approach-400-as-st-vincent-steps-up-mosquito-control-programme

See also iNews Cayman Editorial published June 18 2014 “Mosquitoes pleased with Cayman’s decision to cut back on mosquito control” at: http://www.ieyenews.com/wordpress/the-editor-speaks-mosquitoes-pleased-with-caymans-decision-to-cut-back-on-mosquito-control/