Dominican spread of Chikungunya fever

Epidemic in the Caribbean: Chikungunya virus has reached Dominican Republic

12/11/2014

More and more people in the Caribbean are suffering from Chikungunya fever. After the virus first spread on the Caribbean island of St. Martin, reached large parts of the Caribbean and most recently the Dominican Republic. Six people are said to have already died from the consequences of the infectious disease in the popular holiday destination, as informed by the Center for Travel Medicine (CRM).

Chikungunya virus was also introduced to Germany
Since the outbreak of the epidemic about a year ago, the Chikungunya virus has affected all the Caribbean islands. In addition, cases were registered in the US state of Florida as well as in all states of Central and South America on the Caribbean coast. As informed by the French health institute InVS, a total of 138 people have died in Martinique, St. Martin and Guadeloupe from the effects of Chikungunya fever.

In the Dominican Republic, 524,300 suspected cases were officially reported by the beginning of November. „84 infections were confirmed laboratory-wise, six humans died. The disease has been observed in 19 of the 32 provinces so far“, notifies the CRM. „In February, the first cases were reported from the province of San Cristobal.“

Tourists also introduced the Chikungunya virus to Germany last year. Until May 2014, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) registered 18 cases in this country.

So far, no causal therapy of Chikungunya fever possible
The Chikungunya virus is made by diurnal mosquitoes of the genus Aedes
transfer. In people with a healthy immune system, the disease is usually without complications. However, the virus is dangerous for babies, the elderly and the sick.

The symptoms of Chikungunya fever include sudden severe joint pain on the hands and feet, as well as high fever and rash. Often sufferers also suffer from nausea and vomiting. Sometimes there are also bruising in the skin, but they are harmless. The acute phase of the infection lasts about seven to ten days, as the Foreign Office announces in an information leaflet on Chikungunya fever. So far there is no causal therapy against the virus, nor is a vaccine available. Medications can only alleviate the symptoms. People traveling to the affected areas should urgently protect themselves from mosquito bites. (Ag)