Cayman Islands records seven CHIKV cases

By Caribbean Medical News Staff
According to the Cayman Islands’ government officials, 10 new cases were placed under investigation during the latter part of September. The blood samples were sent for testing at Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) in Trinidad.
Of the five samples sent last week, four results were received from CARPHA. Three tested negative, and one positive. The results of a fifth case remain pending.
According to reports, the patient who tested positive is a resident of George Town, with a travel history to Jamaica.
The chikungunya virus is transmitted by mosquitoes that also cause dengue fever. Infected persons usually present with flu-like symptoms which include the sudden onset of a high fever, crushing joint pain, rash and muscle weakness and in the case of chikv, joint pain may last for up to two years.
Government officials have been asking residents to be vigilant and eradicate breeding sites. The disease has spread throughout the Caribbean with 32 deaths. Babies, the already sick and elderly are considered vulnerable.
Of the seven confirmed cases, six have reported a travel history to countries having an outbreak, (two to Dominican Republic, two to Guyana, two to Jamaica). One had no travel history, an indication that the infection was acquired local, according to reports.
“As the onset of symptoms of the locally acquired case was on 11 July we feel that we have been able to contain the outbreak through an integrated approach, that includes the Public Health Department, Mosquito Research and Control Unit, and the community efforts,” said Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Kiran Kumar.
Urging the public to take protective measures against mosquito bites during travel abroad but also within the Cayman Islands, he added: “We cannot afford to become complacent. We will continue to have imported cases as we are in the midst of the regional outbreak.”