Congo: Chikungunya outbreak continues nationwide early-May /update 1

Event

A chikungunya outbreak has been reported nationwide in the Republic of the Congo and is ongoing as of early-May. According to the WHO, at least 6149 cases have been reported from January to early-May 2019, mostly in the country's southern regions. Officials note that 47 percent of all cases have been reported in Kouilou department. There have been no confirmed deaths associated with this outbreak. Further spread of the disease is to be anticipated in the coming days and weeks.

Context

Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne disease. Symptoms include high fever, joint and muscle pain, rash, headache, nausea, and fatigue. The virus is rarely fatal but lingering joint pain can last for several weeks, even months, after the initial recovery. No treatment or vaccine for the virus is currently available.

Advice

Individuals in Congo are advised to take measures to protect themselves from mosquito bites (e.g. wearing covering clothing, using insect repellent, sleeping in a screened-in or air-conditioned room) and to eliminate possible mosquito breeding grounds (small pockets of fresh water, such as rainwater that has collected in cans, bottles, tires, flower pots, clogged gutters, etc.).