The United States has issued a travel advisory for Seychelles following an outbreak of chikungunya, a mosquito-borne virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) placed the island nation under a Level 2 alert. The agency urges travellers to take extra precautions rather than avoid travel.
Chikungunya spreads through the bite of infected mosquitoes, including Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. Health officials say the disease usually causes fever and joint pain. Other symptoms may include headache, muscle pain, swelling, rash, fatigue and nausea. The Cleveland Clinic says infection occurs when an infected mosquito bites a person. It adds that the virus does not usually spread through casual contact.
The CDC advises travellers to protect themselves. It recommends using insect repellent, wearing long sleeves and trousers, and staying in screened or air-conditioned accommodation. The agency also notes that recovery typically takes about a week, although some people may experience prolonged joint pain. Pregnant women are advised to reconsider travel. Health officials warn that infection close to delivery may allow transmission to newborns.
“Death from chikungunya is rare,” the CDC says. However, it states that newborns, older adults and people with existing health conditions face a higher risk of severe illness. A Level 2 advisory calls for increased caution and is below the agency’s highest warning, which advises people to avoid all travel. The CDC has issued similar Level 2 advisories for other countries reporting chikungunya outbreaks.