NewsDesk @bactiman63

According to the general director of Health Surveillance in Paraguay, Dr. Guillermo Sequera, there were 3,845 chikungunya cases reported in the last three weeks, mostly from the Central department (22 percent) and the city of Asunción (21 percent) as cases continue to trend down.

Despite the fact that its spread has decreased, 217 people have died died from chikungunya since October.

Statistics show that the highest fatality rates are maintained among patients under one year of age and over 80. In addition, 82 percent of those who died from chikungunya presented some risk factor or comorbidity.

According to the US CDC, Chikungunya disease  is caused by the chikungunya virus and is spread to humans through mosquito bites. Outbreaks have occurred in countries in Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe, and the Caribbean, Indian and Pacific Oceans.

Paraguay: ‘The chikungunya epidemic is decreasing significantly’

Most people infected with chikungunya virus develop some symptoms. Symptoms of chikungunya usually begin 3–7 days after a bite by an infected mosquito. The most common symptoms are fever and joint pain. Other symptoms may include headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, and rash. Most people get better within a week; however, some can have severe joint pain for months.

People at risk for more severe disease include newborns infected around the time of birth, older adults (65 years or older), and people with medical conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart disease. Death from chikungunya is rare.

There is no specific treatment or approved vaccine for chikungunya.

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