CDC Reports First Domestic Chikungunya Case In U.S.

ATLANTA -- The first case of chikungunya virus infection acquired within the continental U.S. has been reported by the CDC. The case was reported today in Florida in a male who had not recently traveled outside the U.S. the agency announced late Thursday. The CDC added that it was working with Florida public health officials "to investigate how the patient contracted the virus" and would monitor for additional domestically acquired cases that may occur.

Although the virus has spread rapidly in the Caribbean islands, where it apparently originated, the CDC downplayed the risk of further movement into the continental U.S. "CDC officials believe chikungunya will behave like the mosquito-borne illness dengue virus in the U.S., where imported cases have resulted in sporadic local transmission but have not caused widespread outbreaks," the agency said. "None of the more than 200 imported chikungunya cases between 2006 and 2013 have triggered a local outbreak. However, more chikungunya-infected travelers coming into the U.S. increases the likelihood that local chikungunya transmission will occur." For more information or to schedule total mosquito control services in Atlanta, contact us today!