Cayman Chikungunya outbreak contained
(CNS): With no new cases reported to healthcare services in the Cayman Islands since the end of last month, public officials believe the limited outbreak of chikungunya virus here has been contained. Although a total of 16 cases have been investigated for the mosquito-borne disease since the first suspected case on 25 June, of the 14 blood results received so far only five have come back positive. While one was inconclusive, eight were negative and two blood samples sent between 5 and 11 August are still pending. Four of the five positive patients had travelled to areas where the virus has taken hold and only one person, a resident of Savannah, appeared to have acquired the disease locally.
“The total confirmed cases of chikungunya remain at five as reported on 28 July 2014. Since then there have been no new confirmed cases,” said Medical Officer of Health Dr Kiran Kumar. “The date of onset of the last confirmed case was on 22 July 2014 and the date of onset of locally acquired chikungunya was on the 11 July 2014, an indication that the outbreak is contained.”
To date, 6,924 confirmed/probable cases of chikungunya have been reported with 885 cases from 20 CARPHA Member States and 6,039 cases from 11 other Caribbean countries or territories. Total suspected cases are 567,529.
Regional updates can be accessed byvisiting the CARPHA website. In addition United States updates are available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
For advice on how to control mosquitoes in your yard, contact the MRCU on 949-2557 in Grand Cayman or 948-2223 in Cayman Brac; and DEH on 949-6696 in Grand Cayman or 948-2321 in Cayman Brac.
Category: Health
I feel that it is a bit premature to say that it has been contained.
I trust that the Public Health Department is issuing frequent warnings and advisories through the the different media outlets on how the public should be safeguarding themselves and that this needs to be taken seriously, regardless of how small the threat may seem.