31 cases of Chikungunya recorded in Dominica

Tue Feb 18, 2013

Health authorities in Dominica say persons who have contracted the mosquito borne disease, Chikungunya, should remain home, as Dominica has recorded more than 31 cases of the disease so far.{{more}}

Chikungunya is a viral disease that is spread by the aedes aegypti mosquito and the island recorded its first case on January 16 this year.

“The numbers keep changing on a daily basis … we have a number of suspected cases and we have a number of confirmed cases. The last count that we have in terms of confirmed cases was 31 cases and we have other persons who have not been confirmed.

“We’re asking the persons with the disease to remain at home and to use mosquito nets when they are sleeping and other persons to use mosquito repellents as well,” said Chief Medical Officer Dr David Johnson.

He also advised them to take precautionary measures to reduce the risk of spreading the disease.

“We’re asking persons to avoid the spreading of the disease or if they are infected with Chikungunya to ensure that they sleep under a mosquito net that is treated with insecticide,” he said, adding that the Ministry of Health would be sourcing treated mosquito nets for distribution.

Health authorities have said the disease has spread to several areas across the island and Dr Johnson said most of the cases could “be managed at home without having to admit them to the hospital”.

He said there was no cause for alarm about the disease, whose symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, muscle pain, rash, and joint pain.

Acute Chikungunya fever typically lasts a few days to a few weeks. (BarbadosNation)