What is the current situation?
Updated: January 07, 2014
In December 2013, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported cases of chikungunya in Saint Martin. Additional cases were reported in other islands in the Caribbean. This is the first time that local transmission of chikungunya has been reported in the Americas. Local transmission means that mosquitoes in the area have been infected with chikungunya and are spreading it to people.
As of January 2, 2014, the following Caribbean islands have reported cases of chikungunya:
Saint Martin (French): 98 confirmed cases
Sint Maarten (Dutch): 1 confirmed case
Martinique: 13 confirmed cases; 1 case was also found in a person in French Guiana who had recently traveled from Martinique
Guadeloupe: 3 confirmed cases, including 1 case in a person who had recently traveled from Saint Martin
Saint Barthelemy: 7 confirmed cases
What is chikungunya?
Chikungunya is an illness caused by a virus that spreads through mosquito bites. The most common symptoms of chikungunya are fever and joint pain. Other symptoms may include headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, or rash.
Who is at risk?
Travelers who go to these islands in the Caribbean are at risk of getting chikungunya. In addition, travelers to Africa, Asia, and islands in the Indian Ocean and Western Pacific are also at risk, as the virus is present in many of these areas. The mosquito that carries chikungunya virus can bite during the day and night, both indoors and outdoors, and often lives around buildings in urban areas.
What can travelers do to prevent chikungunya?
There is currently no vaccine or medicine to prevent chikungunya. Travelers can protect themselves by preventing mosquito bites…..
Read more
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/watch/chikungunya-caribbeanpants, and hats.