Daily Brief: 2017.1.2
THREAT ANALYSIS
Chikungunya Case Update
A new report released by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has revealed 56,282 new suspected, confirmed, and imported cases. The total number of chikungunya cases for 2016 is now said to be 497,924.
(Sources: PAHO, CIDRAP)
According to sources this rise in cases reportedly reflects the addition of cases reported from Brazil over the past 12 weeks. For the epidemiological weeks 37 through 49 Brazil reported 27,311 more suspected cases along with 28,536 confirmed ones. This made up most of the 56,282 new cases reported from the region.
(Source: PAHO, CIDRAP)
Chikungunya is a viral disease transmitted by the bite of infected mosquitoes such as Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. The most common symptoms of chikungunya virus infection are fever and joint pain. Other symptoms may include headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, or rash. The main differences between Zika virus and chikungunya symptoms is the intensity to which individuals experience fever and joint pain. Chikungunya usually presents with higher fever and more intense joint pain.
(Sources: CDC, PAHO)
ACTION STEPS
- Individuals traveling to areas where Zika, dengue and chikungunya are known to be present should take appropriate preventative measures such as wearing long sleeve clothing and insect repellant.
- Healthcare professionals who are treating mosquito-borne infections should avoid the use of aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) until dengue can be ruled out to reduce the risk of hemorrhage.
- People infected with Zika, chikungunya, or dengue virus should be protected from further mosquito exposure during the first few days to reduce the risk of further transmission.
(Source: CDC)