Chikungunya Update as of 20 October 2014

The total number of confirmed chikungunya cases reached 26 this week (20 October 2014).

• The distribution of confirmed cases (26) has been: George Town – nine; Cayman Brac – three; West Bay – six; Bodden Town – five, Little Cayman – two and North Side – one. 22 reported travel history to countries experiencing outbreaks, (two to the Dominican Republic, three to Guyana, 16 to Jamaica and one to St Lucia). The number of locally transmitted cases remains at four.
• Of the twenty- four results awaited from the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), twelve were received. Eleven of these tested negative for chikungunya of which one tested positive for dengue, and one tested positive for chikungunya.

The patient who tested positive for chikungunya is a resident of North Side with travel history to Jamaica and onset of symptoms on 7th October, whilst the patient who tested positive for Dengue is a resident of West Bay who had travel history to Honduras and onset of symptoms on 1 October.

Both patients therefore are no longer considered infectious.

“ As an outbreak has been established in Jamaica (the region where we have reported the most imported cases) , the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) has advised that only a limited number of samples with travel history will be tested as all of them will be clinically diagnosed and considered as suspected cases,” noted Dr . Kiran Kumar Medical Officer of Health.

He further explained that, “This means that since we have not had a locally transmitted case since 20 September blood testing will be carried out for those without travel history, to consider if any local transmission is occurring. “

• 26 chikungunya cases were reported during the week 14-20 October 2014 based on symptoms. Eight had travelled to Jamaica, where a chikungunya outbreak is reportedly occurring and 18 reported no travel history.
• Total number of suspected cases of chikungunya reported since 25 June 2014 is 122.
• The total number of results received thus far is 84. 26 have come back positive, 55 negative and three inconclusive. Results from 21 blood samples during 14-20 October and two previous samples are still awaited.

Chikungunya causes fever, severe joint pain, muscle pain, headache, nausea, fatigue and rash. Officials urge anyone who may be experiencing these symptoms to immediately see a healthcare provider. Use mosquito repellent with DEET on the skin, and wear long sleeve pants and shirts when outside during times that mosquitoes bite, whether in the Cayman Islands or on travels.

As at 20 October 2014, 14,425/probable cases of chikungunya have been reported from 22 of the 24 CARPHA Member States and 11 other Caribbean countries/territories. The total number of suspected cases is 730,623.

Further information can be obtained through www.hsa.ky. Regional updates can be accessed by visiting the CARPHA website on http://carpha.org/What-We-Do/Public-Health-Activities/Chikungunya. In addition United States updates are available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on http://www.cdc.gov/chikungunya/geo/united-states.html

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Related story:

Chikungunya, mosquito-borne virus, infected more than 200 Canadians

From The Canadian Press

Majority of the Canadian cases stem from travel to Caribbean islands, Health Canada says

Health Canada says more than 200 Canadians have been infected by a virus that has sickened hundreds of thousands of people in the Caribbean and spurred a state of emergency in Jamaica.

As of Oct. 1, the agency said Tuesday, 201 Canadians had been infected with chikungunya (CHIK-un-gun-yah), a disease caused by a virus transmitted by mosquitoes. Symptoms include fever and severe joint pain, as well as muscle pain, headache, nausea, fatigue and rash.

There is no evidence of local transmission of chikungunya, a disease caused by a virus transmitted by mosquitoes, in Canada. (Philippe Wojazer/Reuters)

The cases have been confirmed “among travellers returning from endemic areas in 2014,” said Eric Morrissette, a spokesman for Health Canada.

The first case of the disease in the Western Hemisphere was documented on the island of St. Martin last December. Chikungunya has been present in Africa and the Asia-Pacific region for decades.

“A very significant rise in infections by this virus has occurred in 2014, which is consistent with the large outbreak in the Caribbean region and ongoing activity in the Asia-Pacific area,” Morrissette said.

The majority of the Canadian cases stem from travel to Caribbean islands, he added. The area is a popular vacation destination for Canadian sun-seekers.

There is no evidence of local transmission in Canada, since the two species of mosquitoes that transmit the virus aren’t native to the country, Morrissette said.

There have also been confirmed cases in the United States and Central and South America.

Jamaican officials declared a state of emergency over the weekend as it grappled with chikungunya. Some estimate as much as 60 per cent of the Jamaican population has fallen ill with the virus.

Almost 800,000 people have been infected in the Caribbean, the majority of them in the Dominican Republic. The country’s health minister said last month that nearly 500,000 people there have battled chikungunya.

Canada issued a travel alert last month warning people going to the Caribbean to protect themselves from mosquito bites.

The Public Health Agency of Canada also urged travellers to consult a health-care provider, or visit a travel-health clinic, at least six weeks before going to the Caribbean.

There is no vaccine or treatment to fight the virus, but the World Health Organization says most patients recover fully.

“But in some cases joint pain may persist for several months, or even years,” the organization says on its website.

“Occasional cases of eye, neurological and heart complications have been reported, as well as gastrointestinal complaints. Serious complications are not common, but in older people, the disease can contribute to the cause of death.”

For more on this story go to: http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/chikungunya-mosquito-borne-virus-infected-more-than-200-canadians-1.2808678