The Jamaica Ministry of Health has confirmed another four locally transmitted cases of Chikungunya, according to the Jamaican Information Service Wednesday. This brings the total number of confirmed cases for Jamaica to eight – six from local transmission and two imported.
Dr. Marion Bullock DuCasse, Director, Emergency, Disaster Management and Special Services said the samples were sent to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) for confirmation. The affected parishes include St. Thomas, St. Catherine, St. Ann and Kingston and St. Andrew. Testing on a suspected case at the University of the West Indies is still pending.
“The Ministry will continue with its public education and intense vector control activities including fogging of the surrounding areas and communities in which the affected persons reside,” Dr. DuCasse said.
“I would like to stress that individual responsibility is important for us to reduce the mosquito population. Each citizen has to recognise the role that they have to play in ensuring that they do not provide opportunities for mosquitoes to breed in their environment. This will assist with limiting the spread of Chikungunya,” Dr. DuCasse said.
Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is transmitted to people by mosquitoes. The virus causes high fever and severe joint pain that start suddenly. It can also cause headache, muscle pain and rash. CHIKV does not often result in death, but the symptoms can be disabling, and some people may get severe complications. There is no specific medication available to treat CHIKV and there is not a vaccine. Avoiding mosquito bites is the key to avoid CHIKV. For more infectious disease news and information, visit and “like” the Infectious Disease News Facebook page
