No new cases of chikungunya have been confirmed in Cayman since last week, but three new suspected cases of the mosquito-borne have emerged, according to health officials in a release Wednesday.
The blood work of the three West Bay residents suspected of having either chikungunya or dengue fever was sent for testing at a lab in the Caribbean Public Health Agency in Trinidad last week, Cayman Islands public health officials said.
The results for the three blood samples sent last week are still pending, health officials said. However, two results received this week tested negative for chikungunya.
Since the debilitating virus was first reported in Cayman on June 25, there have been 13 suspected cases and five confirmed cases, one contracted locally.
To date, cases of chikungunya have been confirmed in 36 countries/territories in the Caribbean region. The total number of confirmed or probable cases is 6,563.
Symptoms of chikungunya include a sudden high fever, severe pain in the wrists, ankles or knuckles, muscle pain, headache, nausea and rash. Other symptoms are joint pain and stiffness.
Anyone experiencing these symptoms and who believes they may have been bitten by an infected mosquito is advised to contact the Public Health Department on 244-2621.
Related Videos
