New York โReports first Locally Acquired Chikungunya Case โin Six โYears
Mineola, NY – New York State health officials have confirmed the first locally acquired case of chikungunyaโ virus within the state in six years. The case, identified in a Nassau County resident on Longโ Island, marks a potential โฃshiftโ in the virus’s presence within the United States.
The individual began experiencing symptoms in August afterโค traveling within New York State, but not internationally. While the exact source of infection โฃremains unclear, health officials believeโค a localโข mosquito bite is the โlikely โฃcause.โ Importantly, the virus has not yet been detected in local mosquito populations, andโฃ there is currently no evidence of ongoing transmission.
Chikungunya, typically foundโฃ in tropical and subtropical regions, is spread by mosquitoes. While not usually fatal, the illness presents with symptoms including fever, joint pain, headache, muscle pain, joint โขswelling, and rashes. Mostโค individuals recover within a week, however,โ newborns, older adults, and those with underlying health conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes face a higher risk of complications.
State Health commissioner James McDonald noted that the risk of transmission is currently “very low” due to decreasing mosquito activity withโ cooler fall temperatures. The mosquito species capable of carrying chikungunya is present in โthe New York City โขmetropolitan area, including Long Island, โขbut the disease is not โspread person-to-person.
This case follows โฃthree other chikungunya infections reported in New โคYork State this year, โฃall linked to travel outside the countryโ to areas where the virus is moreโฃ common. The last locally acquired case in the U.S. and its territories was reported in 2019.
Health officials emphasize that local mosquitoes can also carry other viruses, including West Nile, Eastern Equine Encephalitis, andโฃ Jamestown Canyon viruses, highlighting the โimportance of continued mosquito control and personal protective โmeasures.
