Chikungunya Disease in the Caribbean A Topic of Current Issues By: Morgan Moeller

Where? The disease is said to have originated in Tanzania in The disease is said to have originated in Tanzania in Previously seen only in the Eastern hemisphere. Predominantly in African, Asian, and Indian Countries. Previously seen only in the Eastern hemisphere. Predominantly in African, Asian, and Indian Countries. The disease is closer to home than it ever has been.

Where? Chikungunya has recently spread throughout countries in South America and the Caribbean. Chikungunya has recently spread throughout countries in South America and the Caribbean. Anguilla – Antigua British - Virgin Islands – Dominica - Dominican Republic - French Guiana - Guadeloupe - Guyana - Haiti - Martinique - Puerto Rico - Saint Barthelemy - Saint Kitts - Saint Lucia - Saint Martin (French) - Saint Vincent and the Grenadines - Sint Maarten (Dutch) - Turks and Caicos Islands - US Virgin Islands Caribbean & South American countries with reported cases:

About Chikungunya It is an illness caused by a virus that spreads through bites of infected mosquitoes. It is an illness caused by a virus that spreads through bites of infected mosquitoes. “The name ‘chikungunya’ derives from a word in the Kimakonde language, meaning "to become contorted" and describes the stooped appearance of sufferers with joint pain (arthralgia).” (WHO) “The name ‘chikungunya’ derives from a word in the Kimakonde language, meaning "to become contorted" and describes the stooped appearance of sufferers with joint pain (arthralgia).” (WHO) Causes aches that make walking or even shaking hands painful. Causes aches that make walking or even shaking hands painful. Symptoms generally last for days or weeks and can even become chronic. Symptoms generally last for days or weeks and can even become chronic. (pronunciation: \chik-en-gun-ye) Not as deadly as West Nile but it causes extreme pain. Not as deadly as West Nile but it causes extreme pain.

About Chikungunya (contd.) Main Symptoms:  Fever  Joint pain (mainly in hands & feet) Other Symptoms:  Headache  Muscle pain  Joint swelling  Rash -Symptoms quickly begin to show 3-7 days after infected mosquito bite occurs. -There is no vaccination.

How? It is spread to people by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. It is spread to people by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. These are the same mosquitoes that spread the dengue virus. These are the same mosquitoes that spread the dengue virus. These mosquitoes are mainly active during the daytime. These mosquitoes are mainly active during the daytime. Transmission is rapid, especially among those who do not protect themselves against being bitten. Transmission is rapid, especially among those who do not protect themselves against being bitten.

When? December, 2014, in St. Martin, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported local transmission of chikungunya. December, 2014, in St. Martin, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported local transmission of chikungunya. This was the FIRST time local transmission has been reported in the Americas. This was the FIRST time local transmission has been reported in the Americas. 19 Caribbean countries have reported local transmission of chikungunya as of June 17, Caribbean countries have reported local transmission of chikungunya as of June 17, There are concerns that fans at the World Cup may carry the virus back, increasing the chances of local transmission. (Schuck & Schumer, 2014) There are concerns that fans at the World Cup may carry the virus back, increasing the chances of local transmission. (Schuck & Schumer, 2014)

Travel Smart health-experts-warn-of-new-virus-carried-by- mosquitos CDC Chikungunya Fact Sheet Avoid contracting the disease by preventing mosquito bites. CLOTHING: cover skin by wearing pants, boots, long-sleeve tops. REPELLENTS: use products containing: DEET like sprays, bracelets, and/or clothing. CITRONELLA like candles and torches. “Travelers are advised to take a number of precautions” (Parada, 2014) Be Proactive, Prepared, & Protected.

Chikungunya in the U.S. Although there are reported cases in the U.S., there hasn’t been any reported local transmissions. Although there are reported cases in the U.S., there hasn’t been any reported local transmissions. Local transmissions happen when a mosquito bites an infected human and bites another within the same country or region; spreading the disease. Local transmissions happen when a mosquito bites an infected human and bites another within the same country or region; spreading the disease.

Prevention Use insect repellents with: Use insect repellents with: DEET (Products containing DEET include Off!, Cutter, Sawyer, and Ultrathon) DEET (Products containing DEET include Off!, Cutter, Sawyer, and Ultrathon) Picaridin (also known as KBR 3023, Bayrepel, and icaridin products containing picaridin include Cutter Advanced, Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus, and Autan [outside the US]) Picaridin (also known as KBR 3023, Bayrepel, and icaridin products containing picaridin include Cutter Advanced, Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus, and Autan [outside the US]) Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or PMD (Products containing OLE include Repel and Off! Botanicals) Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or PMD (Products containing OLE include Repel and Off! Botanicals) IR3535 (Products containing IR3535 include Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus Expedition and SkinSmart) IR3535 (Products containing IR3535 include Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus Expedition and SkinSmart) Wear long sleeves and pants Wear long sleeves and pants Stay in places with air conditioning or that use window and door screens (CDC, 2014) Stay in places with air conditioning or that use window and door screens (CDC, 2014)

More Helpful Tips Apply sunscreen first and then apply repellent, keep applying as directed. Apply sunscreen first and then apply repellent, keep applying as directed. Use permethrin treated clothing and gear. Use permethrin treated clothing and gear. You can buy items already treated or treat them on your own. You can buy items already treated or treat them on your own. Don’t use permethrin directly on skin! Don’t use permethrin directly on skin! Inspect body daily when travelling out of the country. Inspect body daily when travelling out of the country. Travel with calamine or anti-histamine cream. Travel with calamine or anti-histamine cream. Use treated bed nets or tents when needed. Use treated bed nets or tents when needed.

References Chikungunya in the Caribbean. (2014, June 17). - Watch. Retrieved June, 2014, from CHIKUNGUNYA Information for the general public. (2014, February 5). Retrieved June, 2014, from ublic_cleared.pdf ublic_cleared.pdf ublic_cleared.pdf Madhani, A. (2014, June 13). Mosquito-borne illness hits USA. USA Today. Retrieved June, 2014, from disease-insects/ / disease-insects/ / disease-insects/ / Schuck, G., & Schumer, C. (2014, June 22). Schumer Concerned World Cup Fans Returning To U.S. Might Bring Back Mosquito-Borne Virus - CBS New York. CBS New York. Retrieved June, 2014, from returning-to-u-s-might-bring-back-mosquito-borne-virus/ returning-to-u-s-might-bring-back-mosquito-borne-virus/ returning-to-u-s-might-bring-back-mosquito-borne-virus/ Chikungunya. (2014, March). WHO. Retrieved June, 2014, fromhttp :// http :// :// Parada, J. (2014, June 12). Chikungunya Virus. Chikungunya Virus. Retrieved June 30, 2014, from