Sixth chikungunya case identified

(CNS): Following several weeks with no new cases of chikungunya virus in the Cayman Islands public officials announced that among the results from the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) this week one sample had tested positive. This brings the total number of cases here since the first confirmed case in June, to six. The latest positive sample came from a patient who is no longer infectious and who as recovered from the virus. The person is a George Town resident who had recently travelled to Jamaica. Health officials also stated that among the most recent results another sample was also inconclusive.

Cayman has managed to contain the mosquito borne virus which is spreading around the region and of the six cases reported and two inconclusive results only one patient had acquired the virus locally.

Since 25 June 36 samples from patients potentially suffering from the virus have been sent for testing with 31 test results having now been returned. Six have come back positive, 23 negative and two inconclusive. Results of five blood samples sent on 15 September are awaited.

Of the six confirmed cases, five have reported a travel history to countries having an outbreak, two to Dominican Republic, two to Guyana, one to Jamaica, while only one had no travel historyAround the region there have been almost 11,000 cases from more than 30 Caribbean countries.

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