"A person on Long Island has been infected with the mosquito-borne Chikungunya virus, the first time someone has caught the disease in New York, state health officials said. Chikungunya disease is most common in tropical and subtropical regions and is rarely fatal, according to the state health department. The virus doesn't spread from person to person but can cause fever, joint pain and swelling, headaches, muscle pain and rashes. Officials confirmed the case through lab testing in Nassau County, but said they're still investigating exactly where the person became infected. The Aedes albopictus mosquito that transmits Chikungunya is present in parts of downstate New York, according to the health department."
"The United States has not reported a locally acquired case of Chikungunya since 2019, authorities said. Three additional cases of the disease identified in New York this year all originated in other countries with active Chikungunya infections, and routine mosquito testing conducted by the state health department has not detected the virus in any New York mosquito samples to date. State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said colder nighttime temperatures will help lower the risk of spread. Still, he urged residents "to take simple precautions to protect themselves and their families from mosquito bites," such as wearing long clothing outdoors and making sure window screens aren't torn."
"Most people recover from Chikungunya disease within a week, though some may experience lingering joint pain, officials said. Newborns and people over 65 are at higher risk for severe illness, as are those with chronic conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease. Symptoms usually start three to seven days after someone is bitten by an infected mosquito."
State health officials confirmed a locally acquired Chikungunya infection on Long Island and are investigating where the person became infected. Chikungunya commonly occurs in tropical and subtropical regions and causes fever, joint pain, swelling, headaches, muscle pain and rashes; it does not spread person-to-person. Aedes albopictus mosquitoes that can transmit the virus are present in parts of downstate New York. The United States has not reported a locally acquired case since 2019; three other New York cases this year were travel-related and routine mosquito testing has not found the virus. Colder nighttime temperatures reduce spread risk; precautions include long clothing, intact window screens, EPA-registered repellents and removing standing water. Most recover within a week, though some have lingering joint pain; newborns, people over 65, and those with chronic conditions face higher risk of severe illness.
Read at Gothamist
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]