The number of suspected chikungunya cases in the Dominican Republic doubled during the past week with the new number released from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Friday show the eastern half of Hispaniola to 7,520. 17 cases have been confirmed.
According to PAHO case definitions, a patient with acute onset of fever >38°C (101°F) and severe arthralgia or arthritis not explained by other medical conditions, and who resides or has visited epidemic or endemic areas within two weeks prior the onset of the symptoms. A confirmed case is a suspected case with any specific CHIK test (viral isolation, RT-PCR, Ig M, or four-fold increase of CHIK specific antibodies titers).
A total of 43,652 suspected and confirmed chikungunya cases have been reported in the Caribbean and South America. For more infectious disease news and information, visit and “like” the Infectious Disease News Facebook page.
Chikungunya virus is transmitted by the bite of infested mosquitoes such as Aedes aegypti (which can also transmit dengue and yellow fever, and is present in the tropical and sub-tropical areas of the Americas) and Ae. albopictus.
The PAHO says the risk of it spreading to other countries in the Region depends on various factors, most importantly the presence of the Aedes app.mosquito, which transmits the chikungunya virus. At present, it is not possible to estimate the risk for other countries of the Region, but the possibility that the virus could spread requires us to be alert and to have surveillance measures in place.
