Fifth local case of Chikungunya confirmed in WB

| 29/10/2014

(CNS): A patient from West Bay who has no travel history to countries where chikungunya is endemic has tested positive for the virus, following the return of the latest batch of blood samples sent to Trinidad for testing. The total number of confirmed chikungunya cases in the Cayman Islands has now reached 29, with the majority of people picking up the sickness in Jamaica and other countries experiencing outbreaks. Five people, however, have acquired the virus in Cayman, which officials say was caused by mosquitos biting people who had been infected overseas, then biting another victim locally, passing on the virus.

Public health officials said that in 18 of the 29 cases of the virus, the patients had been infected in Jamaica, two in the Dominican Republic, three in Guyana and one in St Lucia.
Three new cases were confirmed this week. A resident of George Town and a resident of Cayman Brac both acquired the disease in Jamaica, while the West Bay patient, whose symptoms began on 11 October, acquired it locally. 

The last locally acquired case was 20 September. 

“The sporadic occurrence of confirmed local cases may be due to mosquitoes transmitting chikungunya to persons with no travel history, after biting persons infected elsewhere,” said Dr Kiran Kumar, Medical Officer of Health. “We will continue to collect and test samples of residents with no travel history, in an effort to identify any establishment of local transmission, and to ensure an appropriate level of response."

Health officials are also awaiting results of a further 30 blood samples that have been sent to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA),

Chikungunya causes fever, severe joint pain, muscle pain, headache, nausea, fatigue and rash. Officials urge anyone who may be experiencing these symptoms to immediately see a healthcare provider. They also remind the public to use mosquito repellent with DEET on the skin, and wear long sleeve pants and shirts when outside during times that mosquitoes bite, whether in the Cayman Islands or on travels.

As at 27 October 15,841 probable cases of chikungunya have been reported from 34 countries in the region.

Further information can be obtained through www.hsa.ky

Regional updates can be accessed by visiting the CARPHA website on http://carpha.org/What-We-Do/Public-Health-Activities/Chikungunya.  In addition United States updates are available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on http://www.cdc.gov/chikungunya/geo/united-states.html

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  1. Anonymous says:

    What a load of nonsense.  Short of sealing the Cayman Islands off completely from the rest of the world forever, there is NOTHING that can stop the advance of this disease.  See how it has spread across the region over time?  It is like asking the tide to stop.

  2. joker says:

    I hope the USA stops weekend shoppers from entering the Country.. We dont need this virus on our shores..

  3. Anonymous says:

    There's way more than 5 cases on the island, tell you that from now.

  4. Anonymous says:

    So many are ill & unable to work in Jamaica; we cant let this happen here. MRCU only seem to spray GT & SMB area as far as I can tell; I may be wrong, but anyway, more MRCU work/spraying is needed please; ther's lots of standing water everywhere.

  5. Anonymous says:

    This is scary, the majority of this virus is coming in from Jamaica! 18 out of 29 are from Jamaica, 2 Dominican Republic, 3 Guyana and 2 from St.Lucia. Why can't these people be returned to their own country with their virus? When will the proper authorities for once look out for the interest of the people of this country! Where is the men with backbone to stand up for country!  I pray my God don't let the Ebola reach our shores, end of Caymanians! Final takeover, hoist the colored flag!

  6. Anonyanmous says:

    Maybe it is now time for MRCU to bring back the fogging machines.  The Chikungunya infection seems to only be getting worst and we could have a serious out break on our hands at anytime it seems.

    • Anonymous says:

      The fogging machine has been out – around parts of GT anyway.

    • Anonymous says:

      Boy i tell you, it gettin naaasty out ther, me boy caught a musqito bite dis big man on her left ankle foreskin and it swell big then chikuganin take over man…. it eatin him up 5 days nowand docta say 7-21 days before it pass outa system…. we need more mosquito spreying all acros cayman now.

    • Anonymous says:

      M R C U has everything under control

  7. Anonyanmous says:

    Like Jaws, they said it was safe…. we know what happened.   My solution to this is if anyone is infected and not from here they should be made to leave until it is out of their system, if they are residents they should be treated and monitored until they are free of the infection. Every measure should be taken to stop any possible infection.  I know as a fact that in the past up until 2000 anyone testing positive for Dengue was not allowed in Cayman.  Why the change now with Chick-V? this is why I am so very concerned about these precious islands and the half truths that our officials love to spin.