Chikungunya in Mexico and Central America

Mexico:

• National - over 1,300 cases in at least 10 states
• Chiapas state - estimated more than 10,000 suspected cases
• Nayarit state - only 3 reported cases; may be many more unreported cases in the community
• Veracruz state - 75 reported cases
• Yucatan state - only 6 reported cases
• Isthmus of Tehuantepec - 187 cases reported by 31 affected municipalities

Guatemala - more than 11,000 cases Honduras - more than 100,000 reported cases with an increasing trend Nicaragua - almost 5,000 cases since the virus first appeared in 2014

Advice

It is difficult to know how many infections have occurred in Mexico since reports are confusing with suspected and laboratory confirmed cases. In addition, there is significant underreporting of cases since this infection can be mild. Of all these countries, Honduras has been the hardest hit.

All travellers to these countries can reduce their risk of exposure to this virus by taking all necessary precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Chikungunya virus infections may have long lasting health consequences.