Chikungunya fever said to be widespread in Jamaica

Officially,there have been 59 cases of chikungunya fever reported in Jamaica. However, there are suggestions that every parish has been affected and that this number is a huge underestimation of the actual number of cases. Given that 16 of the 22 imported cases of chikungunya in the Cayman Islands came from Jamaica, it is likely that the virus is as widespread in Jamaica as suspected.

Travellers to areas where chikungunya fever virus is active can reduce their risk of exposure to this virus by taking all necessary precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Many persons with chikungunya fever do not seek medical care and are not reported to health authorities. There may be many more cases in the community that are not reported. Chikungunya virus infections may have long lasting health consequences.