A resident of Long Island has been confirmed to have chikungunya virus—marking the first locally acquired case in the United States in six years. The New York Department of Health says the patient, located in Nassau County, began showing symptoms in August after traveling within the country but not abroad. Officials suspect an infected mosquito bite, though the exact source remains unknown.
Health officials report that the virus is currently raging in China and nearby regions, but no American mosquito pools in the area have tested positive, and there is no evidence of an outbreak. Still, the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus species that carry chikungunya—and also spread West Nile and Eastern Equine Encephalitis—are common in parts of the New York City metro area and Long Island.
People infected with chikungunya usually recover within a week, though newborns, seniors and those with chronic illnesses face higher risks. The virus cannot be passed directly from person to person, and cooler temperatures keep mosquitoes less active, lowering transmission risk right now.
Symptoms of chikungunya include fever, severe joint and muscle pain, headache, rash and swelling. If you live in a mosquito‑active area, keep your windows closed, use insect repellent, and eliminate standing water to reduce your chance of a bite.
Source: New York Post
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
