As more cases of people infected by the chikungunya virus are reported in Florida, public health officials are spreading the word about the need to take precautions.
Chikungunya is spread by two mosquito species, Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, both of which are found in Florida.
(Courtesy of U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
“It’s a virus that’s been around in Asia and Africa for many, many years,” said Amanda Pullman, an epidemiologist with the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County. Only recently, it started spreading throughout Central and South Americas and the Caribbean Islands, “and now very specifically, it’s getting closer in the Americas.”
“Because of the geographic closeness, the proximity to Florida, we’ve become very concerned that this is something we could have here locally,” she said. “So we want to prevent that.”
Cases continue to rise in Florida, but as of last week, the people who have been infected with the virus are those who have traveled to other places, Pullman said.
The virus is not transmitted from person to person directly, but is spread by infected mosquitoes. Some people who contract the virus have no symptoms at all, while others can have debilitating pain that can last for months or even years, Pullman said.
Other symptoms can include a high fever, headaches, visible swelling and joint pain.
Some people are simply tired for a few days, Pullman said. Others have intestinal symptoms.
There’s no vaccine or treatment, but people experiencing symptoms can seek medical care and receive medication for pain and fever, Pullman said. People should go the hospital or see their doctor if they suspect they have chikungunya, to give the health department a better chance of combating its spread.
When a positive test comes back in Hillsborough County, for instance, the mosquito control department heads out to eradicate mosquitoes near the infected person’s residence. By killing mosquitoes in the vicinity, it decreases the possibility of local transmission of the virus, Pullman said.
Preventing local transmission of chikungunya is especially important in Florida, which is a heavy tourism state. “Given our lifestyle here in Florida, lots of us like to be outside,” Pullman said. “There’s all kinds of things at the beach and with the holidays especially coming up, people spend a lot of time outdoors.”
To reduce the risk of contracting chikungunya or other viruses spread by mosquitoes, when people are outdoors, they should be sure to wear mosquito repellent on exposed skin, both day and night, advised Deanna Krautner, public information officer for the Pasco County Health Department. It’s also a good idea to wear lightweight pants and long-sleeved shirts to reduce potential exposure for mosquito bites.
Residents also can help reduce breeding sites for mosquitoes.
“If you see standing water of any sort, try to dump and cover,” Pullman said. Even the smallest amount of standing water can be a problem. “A bottle cap in someone’s backyard can breed a hundred larvae.”
“Residents can go around their house and inspect where water is pooling. Try to empty those or cap those or flip them over, so the water doesn’t pool,” Krautner said.
If mosquitoes are biting, Krautner said, it’s a good idea to go indoors. Those leaving windows open to enjoy an evening breeze need to be sure their screens are in good repair.
The bottom line, Krautner said, is to be aware that mosquitoes can carry viruses that make people ill, and people should do what they can to avoid being bit.
Published July 2, 2014
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