Cases of chikungunya in South America

Cases of chikungunya occur frequently in tropical and sub-tropical countries and islands in the Americas. Some countries in South America that are currently reporting cases include:

Brazil:

• Mato Grosso state is reporting 227 cases.
• Mato Grosso do Sul state is reporting 5 new cases in the past week.

Colombia: a major epidemic nationwide with an estimated 873 000 cases and 58 deaths.

French Guiana: number of cases not reported but infections are increasing.

Paraguay: 2,394 cases

Peru: 160 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.