UK Govt. Update Site After Chikungunya Case
[Updated: UK website corrects info] Following the confirmation of a case of Chikungunya in Bermuda, the United Kingdom’s official Government website updated their section providing travel advice about Bermuda.
The update was made earlier today [Sept 30], and said: “Cases of Chikungunya virus have been reported in Bermuda. You should take appropriate precautions to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.”
On September 24th, the Bermuda Department of Health confirmed a case of chikungunya in a person in Bermuda who travelled to a country where chikungunya cases have been reported.
At that time, a spokesperson said, “This person was previously known by the Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit at the Department of Health to be a suspected case and, as such, received instruction on avoidance of mosquito bites, as mosquitoes spread the illness.
“Additionally, a referral was sent to Vector Control to increase surveillance and put in place control measures in the area. To date, no local spread of the virus has been reported in the Bermuda, though imported cases make local spread possible because the mosquitoes that can transmit the virus are found in Bermuda.
“With frequent travel between Bermuda and affected areas in the Caribbean, the Department of Health continues to work with health care providers and other regional public health partners to monitor possible imported cases.
“The Department of Health wishes to take this opportunity to remind the public that the chikungunya outbreak continues to affect the Caribbean and reiterates the need to reduce mosquitoes locally.”
Update Oct 1: The UK Govt. website originally said “Cases of Chikungunya virus have been reported in Bermuda”, which they have now amended to say “A case of Chikungunya virus has been reported in Bermuda.” In addition, Bermuda’s Department of Health confirmed today that there has been one case reported.
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