Mosquito-Borne Chikungunya Virus Found in US Virgin Islands and Continental US

The Chikungunya virus is an illness spread by mosquito bites and is typically characterized by fever and joint pain. As of June 4, a total of 17 Caribbean countries have reported cases of the virus, and now the United States has confirmed cases.

Already found to have infected over 100,000 people in Caribbean countries, the Chikungunya virus has made its way to the United States, infecting 18 people in Florida and one in Indiana. Additionally, the first locally transmitted case of the virus in the US Virgin Islands was documented on Thursday.

The 18 people in Florida sickened with the virus were said to have traveled to the Caribbean, which is where it is believed they were infected. Blood samples for the patients were examined and confirmed by the Florida Medical Entomological Laboratory. The Indiana patient also traveled to the Caribbean, according to the state's department of health, who urges travelers to seek medical attention if they're experiencing Chikungunya symptoms after traveling to the tropical region.

However, the threat could become real within the United States. The two species of mosquitoes that transmit the virus are found in the southern and eastern US, which leads health officials to believe that outbreaks could occur if proper precautionary measures aren't taken. The Florida Department of Health has already given residents guidelines to avoid spreading the virus and becoming infected.

Chikungunya, along with Dengue fever (another mosquito-borne illness), could also pose a problem for those traveling to Brazil for the 2014 World Cup. With large amounts of people concentrated in one area, the viruses could infect hundreds of thousands of people relatively quickly, but if preventive measures are taken, many will be just fine.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that travelers "cover exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats; use an appropriate insect repellant as directed; use permethrin-treated clothing and gear; stay and sleep in screen or air conditioned rooms; and use a bed net if the area where you are sleeping is exposed to the outdoors."

The Pan American Health Organization has reported over 135,000 cases of the Chikungunya in the Caribbean as of June 6, and health officials are scrambling to spread awareness of the virus to avoid further outbreaks.