On February 5, the United States’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a notice alerting travelers about the risk of chikungunya virus in Seychelles.
Seychelles is an African archipelago located in the Indian Ocean about 1,000 miles off Kenya’s coast. The CDC’s notice reported that an outbreak of the mosquito-borne virus in the island country is currently at a “Level 2” risk, meaning visitors should “practice enhanced precautions.”
The authority advises anyone currently pregnant, particularly those nearing delivery, to “reconsider travel” to outbreak zones.
On the day the CDC issued its travel notice for chikungunya in Seychelles, it also released one for the virus in Suriname. Additionally, on February 11, the authority issued another advisory regarding chikungunya in Bolivia, particularly in the major cities of Santa Cruz and Cochabamba. The notices for the South American countries stated that their outbreaks were also currently at Level 2.
What Should I Know About Chikungunya?
The Symptoms
Per the CDC, “Most people infected with chikungunya virus develop symptoms.” The main symptoms of the disease are fever and swollen, painful joints. You may also experience a rash, headaches, nausea, fatigue, and muscle pain. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), chikungunya can cause symptoms similar to those of Zika or dengue.
Symptoms can appear anywhere from three to seven days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. They can last anywhere from a week to months.
What To Do If You Contract The Virus While Abroad?
Before traveling, the CDC recommends that tourists educate themselves about their destination and, if necessary, get vaccinated against chikungunya. Those most vulnerable to experience severe illness include “newborns infected around the time of birth,” those 65 and older, and those with diabetes, heart disease, or other coexisting medical conditions.
While in your destination, avoid getting mosquito bites to the best of your ability.
If you begin experiencing symptoms during your trip abroad, or after, the CDC recommends seeking medical care.
Though there are no antiviral treatments for chikungunya, it’s rarely fatal.
