The Ministry of Health and Human Services has received confirmation of an additional four positive cases of chikungunya.
This brings the total number of positive cases for the TCI to six. In addition, the Ministry of Health is also closely monitoring dengue fever cases as a number have recently been reported. These individuals will be followed up according to established protocols and procedures.
Chikungunya is a viral illness, which is spread by the bite of an infected Ae-des aegypti mosquito. Chikungunya was first identified in the Caribbean region in December 2013 in St Martin and has subsequently spread to affect 18 countries in the Caribbean. The disease has progressively spread across the region through close trade and travel links between the Caribbean islands and has even resulted in imported cases being identified in Florida.
Symptoms of chikungunya appear between four and seven days after someone has been bitten by an infected mosquito and include fever, joint pain, rashes, headache, nausea and fatigue. Symptoms can last for a few days however joint pain may persist for much longer. See your health care provider if you develop these symptoms. Severe cases of chikungunya requiring hospitalisation are rare. There is no specific medicine to treat chikungunya virus infection or disease.
The Ministry of Health is continuing activities to prevent further spread of these illnesses through public education and enhanced vector control activities throughout the TCI. To protect yourself and your family, the Ministry of Health and Human Services advises persons in the TCI to take the following precautions:
1. Check around buildings for anything that could hold water, inspect your home and yard weekly
2. Turn containers over or cover them
3. Get rid of or cover old tires
4. Properly dispose of all garbage/refuse
5. Cover boats, children’s pools, etc.
6. Clean rain gutters and make sure they are flowing properly
7. Check screens for holes
8. Tightly cover water drums and rain barrels
9. Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants
10. Apply insect repellents on exposed skin liberally (e.g. repellants containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR 3535)
11. Use mosquito nets at night
12. Use air conditioning when indoors or secure all doors and windows with screens
13. Call the Environmental Health Department to treat large bodies of stagnant water on or around your property.
