The Costa Rica News (TCRN) – Costa Rican health officials confirmed this morning that 40 patient samples from different parts of the country where there are outbreaks of dengue, six are positive for chikungunya.

The Director of Health Surveillance, Dr. Mary Ethel Trejos, said the elimination of breeding is the only way to stop or delay the entry of the chikungunya virus.

“The last two cases are pending from last week, both with a history of having been in Dominican Republic, one of the people is a woman from Limon and the other case is a neighbor of Montes de Oca,” said Dr. Trejos.

Those who are infected are being treated at home and their cases are being handled on an outpatient basis. About the new suspected cases, one in La Garita de Alajuela, was treated at the hospital in the province, is a man between 30 and 40, who also traveled to Dominican Republic.

A few weeks ago it was announced that the first case of chikungunya in the country was a foreign woman who traveled from France to Costa Rica and apparently acquired the virus in the Quepos area.

Worried you might be infected? Here’s the signs:

Symptoms

Most people infected with chikungunya virus will develop some symptoms.

Symptoms usually begin 3–7 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito.

The most common symptoms are fever and joint pain.

Other symptoms may include headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, or rash.

Chikungunya disease does not often result in death, but the symptoms can be severe and disabling.

Most patients feel better within a week. In some people, the joint pain may persist for months.

People at risk for more severe disease include newborns infected around the time of birth, older adults (≥65 years), and people with medical conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart disease.

Once a person has been infected, he or she is likely to be protected from future infections.

The Costa Rica News (TCRN)

San Jose, Costa Rica