Chikungunya fever virus is widespread throughout most of Americas

Cases and sporadic deaths due to chikungunya fever are being reported from many countries and areas in temperate and tropical zones, including popular tourist destinations.

• Haiti - 64,695 cases nationwide.
• Jamaica - Over 5,000 cases with 11 possible deaths
• Trinidad and Tobago - over 300 cases
• Mexico - Guerrero state, most affected municipality is Acapulco
• Costa Rica - more than 100 cases
• Honduras - more than 14,000 cases; 100 new cases every week
• Nicaragua - almost 4,000 cases
• Bolivia - Santa Cruz Department and city most affected
• Brazil - almost 3,000 cases so far this year. Most affected states include Bahia, Amapa, Federal District (Brasilia), Mato Grosso do Sul.
• Colombia - city of Barranquilla, Atlantico department, reports 2,591 cases.
• Ecuador - 222 cases, mostly from the municipality of Esmeralda.
• Paraguay - 271 cases nationwide; most affected municipalities include Asuncion, Villa Elisa, Luque, Nemby, San Lorenzo, Lambare.
• Suriname - 1,210 cases nationwide
• Venezuela - probably more than 34,000 cases nationwide.

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.