Daily Brief: 2017.4.19
THREAT ANALYSIS
Chikungunya Case Update
An April 14, 2017 report, released by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), has revealed 9,552 new suspected, confirmed, and imported cases of chikungunya. The total number of chikungunya cases for 2017 is now said to be 29,841.
(Sources: PAHO, CIDRAP)
Most of the new cases were documented in Brazil (9,329), who’s total case count for 2017 now sits at 26,854. Brazil also reported another death, bringing its 2017 total to seven. Peru has documented the second highest increase, with 78 new infections and 489 total cases for 2017. Since the outbreak began in late 2013, on the Caribbean island of St. Martin, approximately 2,416,868 cases have been documented.
(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)