The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 2 Travel Health Notice for Costa Rica’s Guanacaste Province, where most cases of the mosquito-borne virus chikungunya have been reported. The province is a popular tourist destination known for its beaches, surfing, and hiking.
Precautions for Travelers
The CDC is advising travelers to protect themselves against mosquito bites while visiting the area. Chikungunya is spread through mosquito bites and typically causes fever and severe joint pain. Symptoms usually begin three to seven days after an infected mosquito bite and may also include headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, and rash.
While most people recover within a week, some can have severe joint pain for months to years following acute illness. There is no specific treatment for chikungunya, and prevention is the best way to avoid infection. The CDC recommends using insect repellent, wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants, and staying in accommodations with air conditioning or window screens.
Pregnant women are advised to reconsider traveling to the affected area, particularly if they’re close to delivering their baby, because the virus can be passed to a newborn around the time of birth. Travelers who develop fever, joint pain, headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, or a rash during or after their trip should seek medical care.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
