CDC Removes Chikungunya Notice For Bermuda

[Updated: Local officials said the CDC statement is "erroneous," they contacted the CDC to request the information be removed, and the CDC removed it from their website at around 6.30pm]

The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] has issued a Travel Health Notice for Bermuda, saying the CDC “recommends that travelers to Bermuda protect themselves from chikungunya by preventing mosquito bites.”

The CDC Notice says, “In December 2014, Bermuda reported local transmission of chikungunya. Local transmission means that mosquitoes in the area have been infected with chikungunya and are spreading it to people. This is the first time that local transmission of chikungunya has been reported in Bermuda. Chikungunya cases have also been reported in several countries in the Caribbean and Central and South America.

“CDC recommends that travelers to Bermuda protect themselves from chikungunya by preventing mosquito bites. Some travelers may be more likely to get chikungunya, have severe disease, or be at higher risk for other reasons. CDC advises travelers in high-risk groups to discuss their travel plans with their health care provider.”

Tweet from the official CDC account:

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.

Update 4.33pm: Following our report, the Department of Health acknowledged the travel notice and said the CDC statement saying there has been local transmission is “erroneous,” and the Department of Health “has today been in contact with the CDC to request that the information be removed.”

“The source of the information used by the CDC has been identified and is also being corrected,” the Department added.

The Department said, “In 2014, three imported cases of Chikungunya were confirmed in Bermuda, with all three individuals having travelled to Chikungunya-affected countries in the Caribbean.

“Investigation by the Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit and proactive measures by Vector Control were implemented to prevent further spread and it was determined that there was no ongoing, local transmission.”

The full statement from the Department of Health is below: 

This month the United States Centers for Disease Control [CDC] issued a travel notice for Bermuda in relation to Chikungunya.

The notice states: “In December 2014, Bermuda reported local transmission of chikungunya. Local transmission means that mosquitoes in the area have been infected with chikungunya and are spreading it to people. This is the first time that local transmission of chikungunya has been reported in Bermuda. CDC recommends that travelers to Bermuda protect themselves from chikungunya by preventing mosquito bites.”

The statement is erroneous and the Bermuda Department of Health has today been in contact with the CDC to request that the information be removed. The source of the information used by the CDC has been identified and is also being corrected.

In 2014, three imported cases of Chikungunya were confirmed in Bermuda, with all three individuals having travelled to Chikungunya-affected countries in the Caribbean. Investigation by the Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit and proactive measures by Vector Control were implemented to prevent further spread and it was determined that there was no ongoing, local transmission. The most recent confirmed case was in mid-November.

To be clear, to date, no local spread of the virus has been reported in Bermuda, though imported cases make local spread possible because the mosquitoes that can transmit the virus are found in Bermuda [the Aedes mosquito].

It should be noted however that the Aedes aegypti, which is the kind of mosquito found largely in Caribbean, has not been seen in Bermuda since 1998 having been displaced by Aedes albopictus. However we must continue to remain vigilant in preventing mosquito breeding as Aedes albopictus can also spread chikungunya.

The best way to prevent the presence of mosquitos is for us to increase our vigilance regarding standing water removal. The public is advised to empty any containers of standing water around the home/yard. Buckets, plant pots, tyres, plastic sheeting and other items should be checked and emptied. Otherwise, the water they are holding may act as breeding grounds for mosquitoes. If you need assistance in doing so or need your property assessed, call Vector Control at 278-5397.

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.

Chikungunya is not transmitted from direct person to person contact, but a person with the disease can be the source of the virus for mosquitoes that can then transmit the virus to others through a bite. To prevent the spread of the disease, people with chikungunya illness should be especially careful to avoid exposure to mosquitoes during the first week of illness.

Infections are rarely fatal but can cause severe joint pain, high fever, head and muscle aches, joint swelling and rash. Symptoms usually begin three to seven days after being bitten by a mosquito. There is no vaccine or treatment for the virus. Most people feel better within a week, though some people may develop longer-term joint pain.

The Department of Health encourages people to protect themselves from mosquito bites at home and while traveling. The Aedes mosquitoes that transmit chikungunya are active and bite during the day. Precautions include:

• Use an approved insect repellent every time you go outside, and follow label instructions.
• Drain standing water where mosquitoes can breed.
• Wear long sleeves and pants when outside.
• Use air conditioning or make sure doors and windows are screened to keep mosquitoes outside.

Travelers to the Caribbean should monitor their health for two weeks after travel. If travelers experience fevers with joint pains or rash they should seek medical attention and inform the health care provider of their recent travel history.

Update 6.36pm: The CDC has just updated their website and Bermuda is no longer listed under the Travel Notice section.

The Travel Notice home page has removed all reference to the notice for Bermuda [before and after photos here], and the page which listed the details of the Travel Notice to Bermuda now shows as “removed”, screenshot below.

#Chikungunya #Health

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