State gets 1st case of new mosquito-borne virus

Saturday, June 14, 2014

photo A mosquito

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Health officials in Tennessee have confirmed the state's first case of a new mosquito-borne virus.

The Tennessee Department of Health says a Madison County resident has tested positive for the chikungunya (chik-un-GUHN-ya) virus, which is painful but not usually fatal.

The health department says multiple people from Tennessee and other states who recently traveled to the Caribbean have acquired symptoms of the illness.

The virus can be spread by daytime-biting mosquitoes. Officials say there is no evidence of transmission of chikungunya in Tennessee.

The virus causes symptoms such as fever, chills, headache, nausea, sensitivity to light, vomiting, rash and severe joint pain.

Tennesseans are being reminded to protect themselves from mosquitoes. Residents are encouraged to wear insect repellant when they go outside and eliminate standing water from around their homes.