New York well being officers affirm first domestically acquired chikungunya virus case

MINEOLA, N.Y. (AP) — An individual dwelling in New York has examined constructive for the chikungunya virus in what state well being officers say is the primary reported transmission of the mosquito-borne sickness inside america in six years

The state Division of Well being mentioned Tuesday that the virus, which has been spreading in China and elsewhere, was recognized in an individual dwelling in Nassau County on Lengthy Island.

The county’s well being division, in a separate assertion, mentioned the particular person started experiencing signs in August after having traveled outdoors of the area, however not in another country.

It’s not clear how precisely the particular person, whom authorities haven’t named, contracted the virus.

Well being officers say the particular person was doubtless bit by an contaminated mosquito, however in addition they say the virus has not been detected in native mosquito swimming pools and there’s no proof of ongoing transmission.

The kind of mosquito identified to hold chikungunya is current in elements of the New York Metropolis metropolitan space, together with suburban Lengthy Island. The illness can’t be unfold instantly from one particular person to a different.

Since mosquitoes are much less lively throughout the fall’s cooler temperatures, the present danger of transmission is “very low,” mentioned state Well being Commissioner James McDonald.

Chikungunya is discovered principally in tropical and subtropical areas, in accordance with the state well being division. Its signs embody fever and joint ache, headache, muscle ache, joint swelling and rashes.

The sickness isn’t deadly and most sufferers get better inside every week, although newborns, older adults and folks with persistent well being circumstances reminiscent of hypertension and diabetes are at larger danger, the company mentioned.

The U.S. and its territories haven’t seen a domestically acquired case of the virus since 2019.

New York state has had three different circumstances of the virus this 12 months, although all had been linked to worldwide journey to areas the place the virus is prevalent, state well being officers mentioned.

Native mosquitoes can transmit different harmful viruses, reminiscent of West Nile, Japanese Equine Encephalitis and Jamestown Canyon viruses.