Chikungunya Virus Spreads to New York: Long Island Woman Infected Locally

A New York resident has become the first person to be infected with the chikungunya virus locally in the state, adding to the growing number of cases worldwide. The announcement comes after a month-long investigation, which included confirmatory testing by the state's public health laboratory. The infected individual, a Long Island woman, had not recently traveled outside the area, indicating a possible mosquito-borne transmission. Chikungunya, known for causing severe joint pain and fever, has surged globally this year, with cases detected in countries where the virus was previously rare.

Key Takeaways:

• The chikungunya virus has spread to New York, with a Long Island woman becoming the first person infected locally in the state.
• The virus was identified through confirmatory testing by the state's public health laboratory in Albany, which took over two weeks.
• The infected individual, a Long Island woman, had not recently traveled outside the area, suggesting possible transmission through a mosquito bite.
• Chikungunya is known for causing severe joint pain, fevers, rash, and muscle pain, which can last for months or even years.
• The disease has surged worldwide this year, with symptoms and implications for public health becoming increasingly evident.
• The Aedes albopictus, or Asian tiger mosquito, is a known vector for transmitting chikungunya and has extended its range to parts of New York.
• Dr. James McDonald, the state health commissioner, characterized the current risk of infection as "very low" but urged people to take precautions against mosquito bites.

Statistics:

• Since the first cases in Tanzania were detected in 1952, chikungunya cases have surged worldwide, with a significant increase in 2013.
• Only 13 instances of locally acquired chikungunya cases have been reported in the United States in the past 15 years, all in Florida and Texas.
• There have been at least reported cases of chikungunya this year among people who traveled to countries where the virus is circulating.
• Chikungunya has become endemic in much of the Caribbean and Central and South America since 2013.
• The Aedes aegypti, or yellow fever mosquito, is not naturally found in New York, but the Aedes albopictus, or Asian tiger mosquito, has extended its range to parts of the state.

Sources:

• "New York health officials say a Long Island woman has fallen ill with chikungunya, a virus more commonly seen in the Caribbean and Central and South America" [The New York Times]
• "The announcement came after the state’s public health laboratory in Albany, the Wadsworth Center, conducted confirmatory testing, a process that took more than two weeks" [The New York Times]
• "Chikungunya is known for causing severe joint pain, which can clear up quickly or linger for months or even years, leaving some people unable to work or resume their old lives" [The New York Times]
• "Chikungunya cases have surged worldwide this year, with since the first cases in that country were detected in 2008" [The New York Times]