Page 1 of 1
Chuckungunga virus
Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2014 9:05 pm
by snorkelqueen
News reports in California report this awful virus is in the US Virgin Islands . Anyone know of cases on SJ? It sounds scary
Re: Chuckungunga virus
Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2014 9:11 pm
by snorkelqueen
That's CHICKUNGUNYA VIRUS
Re: Chuckungunga virus
Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2014 9:26 pm
by lprof
Yes there have been cases in the Virgin Islands.
http://www.healthvi.org/
Currently there are 48 cases in Florida... all patients acquired the virus outside the country.
From my hometown paper today...
http://www.gainesville.com/article/2014 ... 29847/1139
Re: Chuckungunga virus
Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2014 10:15 pm
by stjchica
The symptoms are very similar to Dengue Fever.
However, Dengue Fever can be fatal but Chikungunya rarely is.
Also, once you get Chikungunya, they say it is a lifetime immunity and you will not get it again, unlike Dengue that can be caused by 4 difference viruses.
Prevention is all the same. Protect yourself against mosquito bites.
My daughter just got back from Haiti so this was a big concern for us, but thankfully none of their team got it.
Re: Chuckungunga virus
Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2014 8:58 am
by equineannie
It is similar to Dengue Fever and it is in the Caribbean, started on St Martin actually. Mosquito based so if you used repellants you'll be fine. Yo have as much chance of catching it as you wold Lime Disease. I live in and out of the area, all the time, never had a problem...