Chikungunya

  Since returning from Chile, several students have been out for days at a time with the excuse that they have Chikungunya, a virus spread by mosquitoes.  My school is out of town a ways in the middle of farmland with several large ponds close by.  With it being the rainy season, the mosquito count has been high, and the blood-suckers are constantly buzzing around my classroom.
  In the middle of a lesson yesterday, one particularly high-strung boy, Sergio, started running around, frantically waving his arms yelling, "Chikungunya! Chikungunya!"  (That's one way to get out of learning.)  There are mosquito bodies plastered to my walls where kids have smashed the lives out them before they could wreak any more havoc .  Needless to say, there is an intense fear of getting bitten.
  The virus became a reality for me when I received this alert from the American Consulate today:

U.S. Embassy Bogota, Colombia

Security Message for U.S. Citizens:  Chikungunya virus in Colombia

October 29, 2014

The U.S. Embassy informs U.S. citizens living and traveling in Colombia of a public health concern regarding the chikungunya virus.  Chikungunya virus is a mosquito transmitted virus recently identified in Colombia and spreading. Symptoms typically include fever and joint pain of the hands and feet that begin 3-7 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito.  Other symptoms may include muscle pain, headache, fever, joint swelling, and rash.  There is no vaccine or medication to prevent chikungunya virus infection or any antiviral medications to treat it at this time.  While deaths are rare, people at increased risk for severe disease include newborns, adults over 65 years, and those with chronic health conditions.  The presentation of chikungunya is similar to dengue.  Citizens are encouraged to seek medical attention if they are showing symptoms, and especially if the fever is over 102 F (above 39 C).  At this time, prevention measures are focused on reducing mosquito exposure by the use of mosquito repellents, covering exposed skin, permethrin-treated clothing, mosquito control measures like emptying water from outdoor containers, and supporting local mosquito control measures.  Anyone sick with chikungunya should avoid mosquito bites to help prevent further spreading of the virus.  Please visit the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website on Chikungunya virus for additional information.


P.S. I recommend you look up pictures of the rash this virus can cause.  I would post photos, but some people tend to get a little squeamish.