More fun infectious disease stuff that actually does affect the Western Hemisphere (Long Excerpt), also, there has...
More fun infectious disease stuff that actually does affect the Western Hemisphere (Long Excerpt), also, there has reportedly been a case in Florida not imported from elsewhere:
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Clinicians should warn patients traveling to the Caribbean about the chikungunya outbreak there and should recommend that they take precautions to prevent mosquito bites, according to a news release issued November 6 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In addition, clinicians should consider chikungunya for differential diagnosis in patients who have traveled recently.
The CDC warns that travelers to the Caribbean and Central and South America will be at risk for chikungunya infection at least through the end of 2014, and possibly later.
"The beginning of fall means that mosquito problems in the continental United States will be decreasing," Roger S. Nasci, PhD, chief of the CDC's Arboviral Diseases Branch, said in the 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."
In the United States, the fall season brings cooler temperatures to most regions, leaving them with fewer mosquitoes and lower risk for mosquito-borne diseases. Throughout the Caribbean and Central and South America, however, the chikungunya outbreak continues to spread, with transmission rates similar to those observed over the summer months.
As reported by Medscape Medical News, the current chikungunya outbreak caused approximately 795,000 chikungunya fever cases in 37 countries and territories in the Western Hemisphere, from the first cases in December 2013 through October 2014. The number of travelers returning to the United States with chikungunya fever increased from an annual average of 28 to more than 1600 from the beginning of the current outbreak through November 4, 2014.
Each year, approximately 9 million people travel between the United States and the Caribbean, according to CDC estimates. Travelers to the Caribbean or Central or South America this fall and winter should use insect repellent and other measures to help prevent mosquito bites, which is the best way to protect against chikungunya exposure.
Mosquitoes transmitting chikungunya bite mostly during the daytime. The CDC recommends use of insect repellent before sunscreen is applied, wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants during the day, and staying in air conditioned or well-screened rooms at night.
Persons at high risk for severe disease from chikungunya infection include those older than 65 years and those with comorbidities including arthritis, hypertension, heart disease, or diabetes. Such persons should consult their healthcare provider about their travel plans in advance of their trip.
As reported by Medscape Medical News, symptoms of chikungunya infection may include fever, joint pain, myalgia, headache, joint swelling, or rash. Although it is rarely fatal, the joint pain is often severe and debilitating and may last longer than the usual 1-week course of the illness.
Person-to-person transmission has not been reported. There is no vaccine or specific treatment. Infected patients are thought to have lifelong immunity.
The CDC posts travel advisories and updates on chikungunya activity.
"Chikungunya Outbreak Progresses in Caribbean, Central and South America." CDC. Published online November 6, 2014. Full text
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Clinicians should warn patients traveling to the Caribbean about the chikungunya outbreak there and should recommend that they take precautions to prevent mosquito bites, according to a news release issued November 6 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In addition, clinicians should consider chikungunya for differential diagnosis in patients who have traveled recently.
The CDC warns that travelers to the Caribbean and Central and South America will be at risk for chikungunya infection at least through the end of 2014, and possibly later.
"The beginning of fall means that mosquito problems in the continental United States will be decreasing," Roger S. Nasci, PhD, chief of the CDC's Arboviral Diseases Branch, said in the 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."
In the United States, the fall season brings cooler temperatures to most regions, leaving them with fewer mosquitoes and lower risk for mosquito-borne diseases. Throughout the Caribbean and Central and South America, however, the chikungunya outbreak continues to spread, with transmission rates similar to those observed over the summer months.
As reported by Medscape Medical News, the current chikungunya outbreak caused approximately 795,000 chikungunya fever cases in 37 countries and territories in the Western Hemisphere, from the first cases in December 2013 through October 2014. The number of travelers returning to the United States with chikungunya fever increased from an annual average of 28 to more than 1600 from the beginning of the current outbreak through November 4, 2014.
Each year, approximately 9 million people travel between the United States and the Caribbean, according to CDC estimates. Travelers to the Caribbean or Central or South America this fall and winter should use insect repellent and other measures to help prevent mosquito bites, which is the best way to protect against chikungunya exposure.
Mosquitoes transmitting chikungunya bite mostly during the daytime. The CDC recommends use of insect repellent before sunscreen is applied, wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants during the day, and staying in air conditioned or well-screened rooms at night.
Persons at high risk for severe disease from chikungunya infection include those older than 65 years and those with comorbidities including arthritis, hypertension, heart disease, or diabetes. Such persons should consult their healthcare provider about their travel plans in advance of their trip.
As reported by Medscape Medical News, symptoms of chikungunya infection may include fever, joint pain, myalgia, headache, joint swelling, or rash. Although it is rarely fatal, the joint pain is often severe and debilitating and may last longer than the usual 1-week course of the illness.
Person-to-person transmission has not been reported. There is no vaccine or specific treatment. Infected patients are thought to have lifelong immunity.
The CDC posts travel advisories and updates on chikungunya activity.
"Chikungunya Outbreak Progresses in Caribbean, Central and South America." CDC. Published online November 6, 2014. Full text
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