Health department investigating suspected chikungunya virus in Hamilton County

A mosquito

Health officials are investigating the first suspected cases of the chikungunya virus in Hamilton County.

While the mosquito-borne virus has not been confirmed, residents who recently returned from a trip to the Caribbean are showing symptoms.

The Tennessee Department of Health confirmed the state’s first case of chikungunya last week in a Madison County resident who also visited the Caribbean.

The most common symptoms of infection are fever and joint pain.

The virus is now widespread in the Caribbean and cases have been reported in countries in Africa and Southeast Asia.