In a follow-up on the chikungunya outbreak that was declared in Suriname in January, the Ministry of Health has confirmed a significant increase in the cases of chikungunya virus.
According to the Central Laboratory of the Bureau for Public Health (BOG) and the laboratory of the Academic Hospital Paramaribo, over 1,357 individuals have tested positive, confirming local transmission and one confirmed death and another being investigated.
Despite the confirmed tally, officials estimate that the number of infected persons is much higher, given typical health‐seeking behavior patterns, hence it is believed that the number of infections may be up to three times higher, meaning the actual caseload could be approximately 4,000 cases by the second week of March.
Eight of ten districts have now reported confirmed cases of Chikungunya in Suriname: Paramaribo, Marowijne, Wanica, Nickerie, Commewijne; Tamansari, Richelieu, Para, Coronie.
It is expected that chikungunya cases might noticeably increase in the upcoming months during the rainy season in Suriname which starts from Mid- April until mil August, as rainfall creates standing water that serves for the development of Aedes mosquitoes.
Chikungunya epidemic risk: A call to action
Suriname’s first documented chikungunya outbreak occurred in June 2014 and lasted four months, when the virus was identified locally during the wider regional spread of chikungunya throughout the Caribbean and neighboring territories. The total number of tested cases in 2014 was 700; the current outbreak appears to progress faster than the recored 12 years ago, as total estimated cases have increased substantially.
Chikungunya disease is caused by the chikungunya virus and is spread to humans through mosquito bites. Outbreaks have occurred in countries in Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe, the Caribbean, and Indian and Pacific Oceans.
Most people infected with chikungunya virus develop some symptoms. Symptoms of chikungunya usually begin 3–7 days after a bite by an infected mosquito. The most common symptoms are fever and joint pain. Other symptoms may include headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, or rash. Most people get better within a week; however, some can have severe joint pain for months to years following acute illness.
People at risk for more severe disease include newborns infected around the time of birth, older adults (65 years or older), and people with medical conditions such as diabetes or heart disease. Death from chikungunya is rare.
There is no specific treatment for chikungunya.