Chikungunya Virus found in the Caribbean

ZIZ News — Ten cases of the Chikungunya Virus have been reported in the neighbouring island of St Marteen.

Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Patrick Martin says Chikungunya is similar to the Dengue Virus and is carried by the same mosquito.

“The virus is similar to Dengue Fever with headaches and pains. Just that, in cases of Chikingunya the pain is more severe than in dengue. In dengue fever, there is a risk of bleeding but that risk is not associated with Chikingunya.

Dr. Martin says the virus may potentially arrive in the federation because of our proximity to St Marteen.

With that in mind, the CMO is urging the public to take precautionary measures to safeguard themselves from the virus.

He said, “Chikungunya virus is transmitted by the same mosquito that transmit dengue and so the prevention measures are the same destroy mosquito breeding sites.”

Dr. Martin says at the moment, no cases have been reported in St Kitts and Nevis; however, the federation is able to medically deal with the virus.