The first case of the disease in the Caribbean was reported on the French island of St. Martin in 2013. Since then it has spread to the majority of Caribbean countries. Symptoms include a sudden high fever, severe pain in the wrists, ankles or knuckles, muscle pain, headache, nausea, and rash. Joint pain and stiffness are more common with chikungunya than with dengue fever. The symptoms appear between four to seven days after the bite of an infected mosquito. The majority of clinical signs and symptoms last three to 10 days, but joint pain may persist longer. Severe cases requiring hospitalization are rare. PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE: Use a proven effective bug spray with DEET day and night.
