Chikungunya persists in Caribbean; travellers remain at risk

The outbreak of chikungunya virus throughout the Caribbean and countries in Central and South America continues to spread, according to the CDC, and will continue to affect travelers to the region.

There have been an estimated 795,000 cases of chikungunya fever in 37 countries and territories in the Western Hemisphere as of the end of October. The outbreak began last December. More than 1,600 travelers returning to the United States have reported chikungunya fever. Before the outbreak, there was an average of 28 cases of chikungunya fever per year in returning travelers.

“The beginning of fall means that mosquito problems in the continental United States will be decreasing,” Roger S. Nasci, PhD, chief of CDC’s Arboviral Diseases Branch, said in a press release. “However, travelers to areas where the chikungunya outbreak continues are at risk of becoming infected. It is important that travelers understand these risks and take appropriate actions to prevent being bitten by mosquitoes.”

The CDC estimates that approximately 9 million people travel annually between the United States and Caribbean. It advises that travelers to the Caribbean or Central or South America should be aware that the risk for chikungunya remains throughout the fall and winter, and advises travelers to apply insect repellent, wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants during the day, and stay in air-conditioned or well-screened rooms at night.

Although chikungunya is rarely fatal, it is associated with severe and debilitating joint pain and fever. People at high-risk for severe disease include those aged older than 65 years, people with arthritis or serious underlying medical conditions, including high blood pressure, heart disease or diabetes.