Life
Chikungunya virus reaches epidemic proportions in the Caribbean
The head of the Caribbean Public Health Authority (CARPHA), James Hospedales, has declared that the Chikungunya virus has reached epidemic proportions in the Caribbean region.
According to Hospedales, “this is an epidemic since it represents an unusual number of cases”.
The mosquito-borne illness was first detected in the Caribbean region in December 2013. In the past 2 weeks, Antigua & Barbuda and St Vincent & the Grenadines became the latest countries to declare an outbreak.
Latest numbers indicate that there were 4,108 probable cases of the virus across the region.
Caribbean countries have been putting measures in place to address the spread of the virus.
Chikungunya is spread by the Aedes Egypti mosquito, which also spreads dengue fever.
According to Hospedales, chikungunya is not a severe disease, and unlike dengue – it is not fatal, however chikungunya has the long term effects of joint pains.
