If you’ve spent any time outside this summer, it’s likely you’ve fought off plenty of mosquitoes.
But now there’s even more reason to swat them away due to a new virus carried by the pests that’s spreading quickly.
The new threat, a virus called chikungunya, has doctors such as Rutgers entomologist Dr. Dina Fonseca on high alert.
“The populations of mosquitoes are at their highest, at their peak, so that’s why we’re really worried about it,” Fonseca said.
A bite by a mosquito carrying the virus can cause fever, rash and severe joint pain. Symptoms typically start a few days after a bite and can last for months.
“Your hands, your feet, your knees and elbows really hurt,” Fonseca said.
Prior outbreaks have occurred in Africa, Asia, and Europe. Late last year, the virus was found for the first time on the Caribbean islands, where more than 100,000 people have been sickened.
In May, officials declared chikungunya an epidemic in the Caribbean and there’s concern that could lead to more cases in the United States.
“We should be worried about people coming in infected and potentially transmitting locally,” Fonseca said.
more
http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2014/08/06/doctors-in-u-s-on-high-alert-for-chikungunya-virus/
Texas county reports chikungunya-positive mosquito
Texas county reports chikungunya-positive mosquito
But now there’s even more reason to swat them away due to a new virus carried by the pests that’s spreading quickly.
The new threat, a virus called chikungunya, has doctors such as Rutgers entomologist Dr. Dina Fonseca on high alert.
“The populations of mosquitoes are at their highest, at their peak, so that’s why we’re really worried about it,” Fonseca said.
A bite by a mosquito carrying the virus can cause fever, rash and severe joint pain. Symptoms typically start a few days after a bite and can last for months.
“Your hands, your feet, your knees and elbows really hurt,” Fonseca said.
Prior outbreaks have occurred in Africa, Asia, and Europe. Late last year, the virus was found for the first time on the Caribbean islands, where more than 100,000 people have been sickened.
In May, officials declared chikungunya an epidemic in the Caribbean and there’s concern that could lead to more cases in the United States.
“We should be worried about people coming in infected and potentially transmitting locally,” Fonseca said.
more
http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2014/08/06/doctors-in-u-s-on-high-alert-for-chikungunya-virus/
Texas county reports chikungunya-positive mosquito
Texas county reports chikungunya-positive mosquito