Chikungunya is another dangerous mosquito borne illness, similar in some ways to the Zika virus, but many Texas residents are unaware of what it means or how it has traveled to the United States. The Texas Department of State Health Services has recently announced the first local case of chikungunya, marking the first known spread of the virus to the state mosquito population.
Chikungunya in Texas
The first Texas resident to contract chikungunya became ill in November 2015. The Cameron County resident received a diagnosis in January, but his case was only reported to the health department in April, 2016. A Heath and Human Services investigation found that the patient had not traveled prior to contracting the virus.
Traits of Chikungunya
Although the chikungunya virus is rarely fatal, it produces serious flu-like symptoms, such as intense joint pain, high fever, body aches, swelling in the joints and skin rashes. Most people who develop chikungunya recover within a week, but some, such as the first Texas sufferer, experience prolonged discomfort and symptoms.
Chikunguna virus is spread to humans by mosquitoes and was first found among Texans returning from international travel in 2014. The 2016 case marks the first time a Texas resident has contracted the illness without traveling abroad, meaning that mosquitoes carrying the disease have traveled to the area, imposing the risk of more infection. Surveillance has not managed to find chikungunya in other local mosquitoes, but this is likely due to the fact that the disease was contracted so many months ago.
Traveling still poses the biggest risk for chikungunya infection, but the Department of Health and Human Services still cautions all Texas residents to protect themselves from mosquitoes at home and while out enjoying summer activities. Other mosquito borne illnesses, such as Zika and West Nile virus, also pose an increased risk as the weather gets warmer.
Protecting Yourself from Chikungunya
While chikungunya may be an alarming disease, there are plenty of steps Texas residents can take to prevent its transmission. When traveling away from your home, especially to areas with large bodies of water nearby, such as pools or lakes, it is best to wear long sleeves and pants or insect repellant when that is not feasible. Insect repellant should be chosen carefully when treating children and infants as some formulations are safer than others. Keeping mosquitoes from biting is a significant part of the chikungunya prevention process.
In addition to protecting yourself outside the home, you should also consider making your home a mosquito- and insect-free zone. The professionals at Preventive Pest Control offer comprehensive Houston mosquito control services designed to prevent infestation and keep a protective barrier around your home.