Travelers are being warned about a virus transmitted by mosquitoes, one that has been reported in California residents this year, amid an outbreak in China.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a travel health notice on Aug. 1 due to an outbreak of chikungunya in the southeastern Guangdong Province of China. These notices are used to inform travelers about what health risks they face globally and to advise them on how to protect themselves against it.
The chikungunya virus is spread to people when bitten by an infected mosquito, commonly causing fever and joint pain to those infected with it.
In June, the CDC issued a notice for Bolivia, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Réunion, Somalia and Sri Lanka due to an outbreak of this mosquito-transmitted virus.
There have been approximately 240,000 cases of chikungunya worldwide this year, according to a July update from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. There have been 90 deaths related to it this year.
Here’s what you need to know.
How many chikungunya cases have there been in California?
There have been two symptomatic chikungunya cases in California residents as of July 1, according to the California Department of Public Health. All cases reported in the state have been associated with travel.
“There have been zero locally acquired infections reported in California,” said the state public health agency.
Here are the number of chikungunya cases in the state since 2016, according to the state public health agency:
Is the chikungunya virus contagious?
The virus isn’t spread from person to person, the CDC said. However, the health organization said spread could occur by drawing blood from an infected patient or handling infected blood in the laboratory.
Which mosquitos carry the chikungunya virus?
The virus is primarily transmitted via the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, said the CDC. These mosquitoes are infected when they feed on a person who has the virus. The former mosquito is known for transmitting yellow fever, according to the World Mosquito Program.
What are chikungunya symptoms?
The CDC said that the most common symptoms of chikungunya are fever and joint pain, but other symptoms include headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, or rash. Vaccination is recommended if you’re visiting an area with an outbreak, said the CDC. People who are pregnant are advised to reconsider travel to affected areas, especially if they’re close to having their baby, as the virus can pass to the baby before or during delivery, according to the CDC. Newborns infected are at risk for “severe illness, including poor long-term outcomes.”
Paris Barraza is a trending reporter covering California news at The Desert Sun. Reach her at pbarraza@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: What is chikungunya? Mosquito virus outbreak in China found in California
Reporting by Paris Barraza, Palm Springs Desert Sun / Palm Springs Desert Sun
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