Mosquito-borne viruses are a major concern during the summer. Triple-E and West Nile are two well-known viruses. A new one that people are concerned about is Chikungunya.
The first case directly caused by a mosquito in the western hemisphere was documented last year.
Now, there have been human cases reported in New England. Four cases were recently reported. Another two cases were reported in New Hampshire. All of those people had recently traveled to the Caribbean.
Many are considered with how to respond to such news. For answers professor David Sanders joined NECN to discuss the virus.
He's an Associate Professor of Biology at Purdue University and an expert on insect-transmitted diseases.
Chikungunya is a rapidly-spreading mosquito-borne disease. It is the first of its kind to enter the U.S. since West Nile. Chikungunya is raging in the Caribbean and is being brought north by travelers returning from overseas.
As of July 8, the CDC has confirmed 153 cases in the U.S. Four cases were confirmed in Boston over the weekend.
Symptoms include fever, headache, rashes, vomiting, exhaustion and muscle or joint pain. They can last for up to one month. Children and seniors are especially susceptible to severe symptoms.
There is no vaccine to prevent or medicine to treat Chikungunya. To decrease the symptoms, get plenty of rest, drink fluids to prevent dehydration and take ibuprofen or acetaminophen to relieve fever or pain.
Here are four easy steps to protect yourself this summer:
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1. Eliminate standing water in places like bird bath pools and make sure gutters are unclogged
2. Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors
3. Apply topical insect repellants that include DEET
4. Use flying insect traps that attract and eliminate mosquitoes, such as Dynatrap (which are environmentally-friendly and pesticide-free)
