Health officials reported Tuesday three new suspected cases of chikungunya have occurred since Aug. 12, while no new confirmed cases have emerged.
Since the debilitating mosquito-borne virus was first reported in Cayman on June 25, 19 cases have been investigated.
According to a government press release, of 15 cases tested, five people in the Cayman Islands have tested positive for chikingunya – including one case that was contracted locally – nine were negative and one was inconclusive.
“No more confirmed cases,” said Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kiran Kumar, “although additional samples were collected for testing during the past week.”
Health officials are waiting on the results of four blood samples sent to the Caribbean Public Health Agency in Trinidad.
According to local health officials, of the five confirmed cases, one was in George Town, one in Savannah, one in West Bay and two in Cayman Brac.
Since the first case of the virus in Cayman, the Department of Public Health has been issuing weekly updates on the virus.
To date, 7,894 confirmed cases of chikungunya have been reported in the region, according to the Caribbean Public Health Agency.
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.
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