Atlanta, Georgia (TDN) -- A viral disease spread by mosquitoes that causes fever and debilitating joint pain has now spread to seven Caribbean islands including St Maarten, St Barthélemy, Dominica, Martinique, Guadeloupe, French Guiana and the British Virgin Islands.
In Dominica there have been 13 confirmed cases of the disease.
The chikungunya virus had previously been reported in Asia, the Indian Ocean and Africa, and in December 2013, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported local transmission for the first time in the Americas on the island of St Martin. It has since spread to the other islands.
Chikungunya is an illness caused by a virus that spreads through mosquito bites. The most common symptoms are fever and joint pain. Other symptoms may include headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, or rash. 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.
The Atlanta based Centers for Disease Control has reported that there is currently no vaccine or medicine to prevent chikungunya. Meanwhile health authorities are urging travelers to the affected areas to protect themselves by preventing mosquito bites.
This can be done by covering exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats; using insect repellent, and by staying and sleeping in screened or air conditioned rooms.
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