TN Officials Confirm Cases Of Chickungunya Virus In Knoxville, Memphis

The Tennessee Department of Health reports that two cases of the exotic mosquito-borne chikungunya virus have been recently found in Tennessee, one in Memphis and the other in Knoxville. Both cases were detected in persons who had recently traveled to the Caribbean.

Although no cases have yet been found where the disease was transmitted from Tennessee-bred mosquitos, the potential exists and outdoors enthusiasts should take care while enjoying their activities. The TDH notes that CKV is transmitted by daytime biting mosquitos and those who experience the illness may experience varying degrees of fever, joint and muscle pain, rash and swollen joints.

CKV was first detected in East Africa in the 1950s and has since spread across Africa to southern Europe, Asia, the Pacific Islands and recently to the Caribbean, including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

A major outbreak has occurred in the Caribbean this year, with more than 100,000 cases reported. U.S. health officials are concerned, saying that American tourists are bringing CKV back home and it’s just a matter of time before it starts to spread within the United States.

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