First Local Chikungunya Virus Case Reported In New York

Fever, joint pain, headaches, nausea, rash and muscle pain? These are the symptoms caused by a mosquito bite and the New York Department of Health just confirmed the state's first case.

Chikungunya virus is typically spread by a mosquito to human. Previously, the only cases of this disease in the United States were of people who traveled internationally to areas where infection is prevalent. Now we have a case right here in New York.

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In September the New York State Health Department began investigating a possible case of this rare mosquito-borne virus. A 60-year-old woman from Hempstead, Long Island, told the New York Times that she tested positive for it in a preliminary test.

Today the New York Post is reporting that an individual living in Nassau County has tested positive for the mosquito-borne chikungunya virus. This marks the first reported transmission within the US in six years.

Photo by Keenan Constance on Unsplash

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that Chikungunya virus is spread to people by the bite of an infected mosquito. Symptoms can include fever, joint pain, headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, and rash. There are no medicines to treat chikungunya virus disease.

The World Health Organization reports that there are currently two chikungunya vaccines that have received regulatory approvals in several countries and/or have been recommended for use in populations at risk. These vaccines are not yet widely available nor in widespread use.

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Gallery Credit: Karolyi

Filed Under: 518 News