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Chikungunya Fever in Italy
Monday 17-Sep-2007
Italian Health authorities have recently reported 166 clinical cases of Chikungunya fever in the province of Ravenna, Emilia-Romagna, in northeast Italy. The villages of Castiglione di Ravenna and Castiglione di Cervia have reported the majority of the cases. Tests confirm that local mosquitoes are responsible for transmitting the disease. This is the first time that local transmission of Chikungunya virus through mosquitoes has been detected in Europe. Travellers to this area should ensure they avoid being bitten by mosquitoes, and should also be aware of the symptoms of the illness. Chikungunya fever is a viral disease contracted via the bite of an infected mosquito. Symptoms include the sudden onset of fever, chills, headache, nausea, vomiting, joint pain with or without swelling, low back pain, and rash. There is no specific treatment for the disease, just medications to ease the symptoms
We recommend that you consult one of our clinics as soon
as your itinerary is known so that a program of vaccination can be planned.
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