First Reported Case of Chikugunya Virus in St. Kitts

ZIZ News — The first case of the Chikungunya Virus in St. Kitts has been confirmed after testing was done on a 30-year-old male by the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) of Trinidad and Tobago.

The virus is said to be similar to the dengue fever as it is spread through mosquitoes but it is not contagious.

According to Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Patrick Martin, more cases of the virus are expected in the federation but there is no need for alarm.

He said, “The first confirmed case was hospitalized at JNF hospital earlier this month. The person did well and was discharged; no complications. So that’s why we say there is no need for alarm. It’s here. It is what it is. We’re on top of it; we know how to deal with it.”

Dr. Martin also outlined the importance of taking precaution and using preventative methods.

“These mosquitoes…all they need is one drop of water to breed…one drop. So any object, anything that contains one drop of water or more must be emptied or destroyed; bagged for collection by Solid Waste to be appropriately disposed of.”

Like dengue, Chikungunya is characterized by fever and pain which appears up 3-7 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Other symptoms include headache, nausea, vomiting, fatigue and rash.