Mosquitoes Rapidly Spreading Chikungunya Virus to Humans in the Caribbean

The Chikungunya virus is transmitted to people by mosquitoes, of which the common symptoms are fever and joint pain. Various countries in the Caribbean have seen thousands of cases of the virus, especially in the past few days.

First discovered in Africa in 1953, the Chikungunya virus has caused outbreaks in countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Since it's carried by mosquitoes, there's currently a risk that the virus will be imported to new areas through infected travelers, especially since now it's in the Caribbean.

The Caribbean has been hit with thousands of cases of the virus, with the first transmission being documented this past December in French St. Martin. Since then, the Pan American Health Organization reported over 55,000 suspected and confirmed cases. You can view a list of the countries that have documented cases and witnessed outbreaks on the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

"With the increase in travelers the likelihood that something like this would happen goes up and eventually it did," said Dr. Roger Nasci, chief of a CDC branch that tracks insect-borne diseases, in this Fox News article. "We ended up with somebody at the right time and the right place infecting mosquitoes."

There is no vaccine to prevent the spread of the virus nor are there medicines to treat it. The CDC recommends that travelers protect themselves from mosquito bites by using insect repellant and to also wear long sleeves and pants. It's also important to wash your hands and remain sanitary in general to prevent spreading or contracting the virus.

The two species of mosquitoes that carry and spread the Chikungunya virus are also found in the southern and eastern United States, leading health officials to believe that transmissions could occur within the country as soon as this summer. As a result, officials are scrambling to educate and notify people of the prevalence of the virus in the Caribbean to inform them of ways to take preventive measures.

Other and more severe symptoms include headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, or rash. The good news is that a majority of those infected will show symptoms, which will at least help contain the virus to some extent.