Areas in Latin America struggling with chikungunya

Major chikungunya problem areas in Latin America include:

Mexico

• Guerrero state - at least 13,000 cases, since last December, with more than 3,800 cases in the past week.

Honduras

• 41,000 cases; the most affected zones are the districts of Distrito Central, San Pedro Sula, Olancho, La Paz, Yoro, and Santa Barbara.

Brazil

• Goias state - at least 60 cases
• Mato Grosso do Sul state - 77 cases; most affected municipalities include Corumba, Paranhos, Maracaju

Peru

• Tumbes region - 37 cases

Advice

All 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.