Brazil: Chikungunya epidemic in Ceará state (northeast)

Event

Health officials reported on August 18 that there had been 116,804 suspected cases of the mosquito-borne disease chikungunya detected in Ceará state since the beginning of the year. The virus has been reported in almost every municipality of the state, including the capital Fortaleza. Officials also reported that 70 people have died this year after contracting the disease.

Context

Chikungunya is relatively new to the Western Hemisphere, first detected in late 2013. The local population as a whole has very little immunity against the virus, increasing risks of large-scale outbreaks.

Symptoms of chikungunya include: fever, headache, joint and muscle ache, fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, and rash. The virus is infrequently fatal but potentially debilitating joint pain can last for weeks, even months, after the initial recovery.

It should be noted that various other mosquito-borne diseases are present in Brazil, including dengue fever, the Zika virus, malaria, and yellow fever.

Advice

Individuals in Ceará state, as well as elsewhere in Brazil more generally, are advised to take measures to protect themselves from mosquitoes. If you develop symptoms following your return home, make sure your doctor is aware of your travel history.