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Chikungunya Alert: CDC Warns Travelers to 4 Countries
23 Dec
Summary
- CDC issued Level 2 alert for chikungunya virus in four countries.
- Virus causes severe joint pain potentially lasting months.
- Travelers advised to use insect repellent and wear protective clothing.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 2 travel advisory for four countries experiencing outbreaks of the chikungunya virus. Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Cuba, and China's Guangdong Province are currently under this advisory due to the spread of this mosquito-borne illness. Health officials are particularly concerned about the virus's potential to cause debilitating joint pain that can linger for months.
While most chikungunya cases resolve within a week, severe symptoms can affect vulnerable groups such as infants and the elderly. The virus, transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, typically manifests as fever and joint pain, often accompanied by headaches, muscle pain, swelling, or rash. Lingering joint pain can persist for years in some individuals.
Beyond the actively affected nations, the CDC notes an "elevated risk" in popular travel destinations like India, Mexico, and Thailand. Travelers are urged to use EPA-registered insect repellents, wear protective clothing, and consider vaccination if visiting high-risk areas. No locally acquired cases have been reported in the U.S. since 2019, but international travelers should remain cautious.
