Chikungunya case confirmed in New York: What to know about the virus, the symptoms and important precautions

New York health officials confirmed the first local case of the Chikungunya virus in six years. The patient, a resident of Nassau County on Long Island, tested positive earlier this week and marked a rare example of local transfer in the United States. According to the New York Times, a rare case, according to the New York Times, the state of the state’s health believes that the virus was spread by a local mosquito, not through travel. Officials emphasized that there is no evidence of distribution of person-to-person, and that cooler drop temperatures mean that the risk of further transfer is ‘very low’. “Although this case is worrying, the risk of New Yorkers is currently very low,” Health Commissioner James McDonald said in a statement shared on Tuesday. What is Chikungunya? Chikungunya is a mosquito -borne viral disease that spreads through bite of infected mosquitoes – the same that Dengue and Zika wears. The virus was first identified in Tanzania in 1952 and has since appeared in more than 100 countries across Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas. The name “Chikungunya” comes from a tanzanian word meaning “that which bends”, in relation to the serious joint pain it causes. Chikungunya -symptoms and complications symptoms usually appear four to eight days after a mosquito bite. The most common includes a sudden fever, headache, nausea, rash and severe joint pain, often bad enough to complicate step. Most people recover completely, although fatigue and pain can last weeks or even months, according to the WHO. Serious complications are rare and influence babies, older adults or people with chronic health issues. Chikungunya treatment and prevention There is currently no antiviral treatment for Chikungunya. The World Health Organization recommends rest, fluids and paracetamol for pain and fever. Doctors also warn against taking ibuprofen or aspirin until Dengue is excluded. Two chikungunya vaccines have been cleaned in some countries for limited use, although they are not yet widely available. Prevention, which says, remains the best defense – use insecticides, carries long sleeves and switches standing water around homes. Although the case of Nassau County has attracted attention, health experts emphasize that local transmission is unlikely to spread further this season. Questions What is Chikungunya? Chikungunya is a mosquito -borne viral disease that causes fever and severe joint pain. Where was the case in New York reported? The patient lives in Nassau County on Long Island, where the virus was transmitted locally. Can Chikungunya spread from person to person? No. It only spreads through mosquito bites, not through direct human contact. What are the most important symptoms of Chikungunya? Sudden fever, severe joint pain, fatigue, rash and nausea are the most common symptoms.