Taiwan records three cases of Chikungunya fever: CDC

The number of cases of the mosquito-borne disease is higher than in the same periods for 2008 and 2009, which each had a single case, according to CDC Deputy Director General Shih Wen-yih.

Among the three cases registered this year was a 5-year-old boy, who contracted the disease when visiting relatives in Sumatra with his family, Shih said.

The other two cases were a sailor who was infected in Jakarta, and a domestic helper who was infected in Surabaya, Shih said.

All three cases were discovered through airport fever screenings.

Shih said the situation indicates that the Chikungunya outbreak in Indonesia is very severe and he urged travelers to Indonesia and other Southeast Asian countries to take proper precautions against mosquito bites.

Any traveler to Indonesia who experiences symptoms such as fever, headache, nausea and vomiting after returning home should seek medical attention immediately and inform their doctors of their travel history, Shih added.

CDC statistics show that from October 2007 until the end of 2009, 20 cases of the disease were recorded in Taiwan, none of which were domestic.

Nine out of the 20 cases were from Indonesia, while five were from Malaysia, the statistics indicate.

The Chikungunya virus is transmitted to humans by a certain kind of virus-carrying mosquito. The disease affects the joints of the extremities and the pain associated with a Chikungunya infection can persist for weeks, months, or in some cases years. Other symptoms of the disease include intense headache, insomnia and an extreme degree of prostration.

Subscribe to The China Post and save 25%. Click here

SharePrintEmail

Write a Comment

Terms

Enter your comments - 3000 characters max

Type in image code

Submit

 Receive China Post promos
 Respond to this email