health officials new york A person has tested positive for the mosquito-borne chikungunya virus, the first locally transmitted case in the United States since 2019.
The infection detected in a Nassau County resident comes after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) urged Americans to be on high alert. Antivirus This follows outbreaks in Cuba and China this year.
“A communicable disease investigation conducted by the Nassau County Department of Health (NCDOH) determined that the individual began experiencing symptoms in August. Investigation revealed that the individual had a history of travel outside of Nassau County during the vaccination period, but did not report any international travel,” the Nassau County Department of Health (NCDOH) announced Tuesday.
“So far, no chikungunya virus has been detected in local mosquito pools and the risk to the general public remains low,” it added.
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According to the CDC, most people infected with the chikungunya virus develop some symptoms, which usually begin about three to seven days after infection. infected mosquito.
According to the CDC, “The most common symptoms are fever and joint pain. Other symptoms include headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, and rash. Most people recover within a week, but some people may have severe joint pain for months or years after the acute illness.”
“People at risk for more severe disease include newborns infected at birth, older adults (65 and older), and people with medical conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. Deaths from chikungunya are rare,” the CDC added. “There is no specific treatment for chikungunya.”
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“No locally transmitted cases of chikungunya have been reported from any U.S. state or territory since 2019,” the CDC said on its website.
“Investigation suggests this person likely contracted the virus after being bitten by an infected mosquito,” the New York State Department of Health said. “Based on current information, this case is classified as locally acquired, but the exact source of infection is unknown.”
“Mosquito bites are not only a nuisance, they can spread diseases that affect both humans and animals,” said Nassau County Health Director Irina Gelman. “As the weather cools in Nassau County, effectively ending the 2025 mosquito season, this case serves as a reminder to take precautions to avoid mosquito bites during the season and when traveling to areas where mosquito-borne diseases are present.”
“Our Wadsworth Center has confirmed this test result. This is the first known case of locally transmitted chikungunya in New York State. The current risk for New York State is very low given the much cooler nighttime temperatures,” added State Health Commissioner James MacDonald.
