U.S. cases of chikungunya virus that paralyzes victims is on the rise as it sweeps through China

Daily Mail​

3 days ago

The number of cases of the debilitating chikungunya virus that's sweeping through China sees a surge in the U.S.
CDC officials reported four more cases this week, bringing the total in the U.S. to 50 , all of which are in people who traveled to areas where it's more common, such as Asia and South America. It is unclear how many are linked to China's outbreak.
The viral infection, spread by the Aedes mosquito, can cause sudden agonizing joint pain in the hands and feet that can be so severe that it leaves sufferers unable to move normally for months - and sometimes years.
Chikungunya's tearing through China with over 10,000 cases, leaving the nation battling its largest outbreak ever.
The outbreak prompted the CDC to issue a Level 2 travel warning for China, which urges Americans to take extra precautions when visiting the area. The notice also applies to Brazil, Colombia, India, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Thailand.
Chikungunya's a 'nationally notifiable' condition in the U.S., meaning health authorities can voluntarily report cases to the agency for national tracking and monitoring.
While a handful of cases pop up in the U.S. every year, from people traveling to high-risk areas, it hasn't experienced local transmission since 2019.
However, with 1.6 million people traveling between the U.S. and China every year, mosquitoes in America could bite an infected traveler and begin transmitting the virus locally.
Dr Louisa Messenger, a mosquito researcher in Nevada, said: 'This outbreak in China is very concerning. [The virus] could already be here in the U.S. and really it's just one plane flight away.'
Along with the CDC, travel agencies and cruise lines also issued warnings about preventing mosquito-borne diseases, including chikungunya, dengue, and Lyme disease, all of which have been detected in the U.S. so far this year.
Last month, Norwegian Cruise Line warned guests traveling to Italy this year to use insect repellent and wear clothing treated with permethrin to help repel ticks and mosquitoes.
Aedes mosquitoes are common in Italy, especially around coastal areas.
Authorities in Italy reported the first locally acquired cases of both dengue and chikungunya, prompting the warnings from Norwegian Cruise Line.
About 15 to 35 per cent of people infected with the virus are asymptomatic, the CDC reports.
The incubation period is typically three to seven days and the most common symptom is a sudden onset of a fever over 102F.
Other symptoms of the virus include headache, nausea, rash, muscle aches, swelling and redness of the conjunctiva (the white part of the eye and inner eyelids), and joint pain that is sometimes severe and debilitating in the hands or feet.
In severe cases, life-threatening complications involving the heart and brain can occur such as inflammation, irregular heartbeats, and organ failure.
Symptoms usually last seven to ten days, but patients may experience lifelong complications such as persistent joint pain.
There is no specific treatment for chikungunya, and doctors mostly focus on easing symptoms with over-the-counter pain and fever medications. However, there are two vaccines available for people visiting an area with an outbreak.
With the rise in the virus in China, mitigation efforts, including using drones to spray insecticide in mosquito-infested areas has led to a slow down in new cases, though over 1,000 were still recorded in the last week.
According to the CDC, chikungunya was rarely detected in American travelers before 2006 but, between 2006 and 2013, the U.S. logged around 30 imported cases a year, all in those who had visited affected regions in Asia, Africa, or the Indian Ocean.
In 2014, a total of 2,799 cases were reported - including 12 that were locally acquired - in states and territories such as Florida, Texas, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, making it the country's worst year on record for the virus.