Health and Me

Itisha Arya

As New York Reports Its First Chikungunya Case, Experts Warn Who Is Most at Risk

new york chikungunya who is at risk

A resident in the suburbs of <span>New York</span> City has tested positive for <span><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/chikungunya">chikungunya</a></span>, which is a mosquito-borne virus more commonly seen in South America and not reported on the U.S. mainland in over a decade. Health officials confirmed that the virus, which often causes fever and joint pain, was identified in a Long Island patient who began showing symptoms in August after traveling outside the local area, though not internationally. 

The infection likely came from a mosquito bite, but it is unclear exactly where. So far, the virus has not been detected in local mosquito populations and cannot spread directly from person to person. As the virus reaches New York, it’s important to understand who is more vulnerable to chikungunya.

According to the <span>World Health Organization</span>, certain groups are more susceptible to severe chikungunya. Older adults, newborns, pregnant women, and individuals with pre-existing conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart disease are at higher risk of complications or slower recovery. While chikungunya rarely leads to death, it can produce sudden high fever, headaches, fatigue, rash, nausea, and red eyes. 

Symptoms typically appear 2 to 7 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Most people recover within a couple of weeks, but some may experience lingering joint and muscle pain for months or even years after infection.

Originally limited to Africa and Asia, chikungunya has now spread rapidly since 2004. Today, more than one-third of the global population lives in areas where the virus can be transmitted. These regions include parts of the Americas, Africa, Asia, Europe, and islands in the Caribbean as well as the Indian and Pacific Oceans, according to Mayo Clinic.

Should You Be Worried About The Chikungunya Spread In The US?

Most people recover within 1 to 2 weeks without additional symptoms. However, some develop chronic chikungunya arthritis, with joint and muscle pain lasting months or years, affecting at least 40% of those infected. 

Death from chikungunya is rare, but the virus can cause serious issues in vulnerable groups, including older adults, people with chronic conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure, young children, and pregnant individuals who could transmit the virus to their babies. Complications may involve the eyes, heart, or nervous system. Fortunately, a previous infection usually provides protection against future infections.

<h2>Chikungunya: What’s Happening in the United States?</h2>

The New York case marks the first locally acquired instance in the U.S. since 2015, meaning the patient contracted the virus without traveling elsewhere. Ten years ago, a single case was reported in Texas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and two cases occurred in U.S. territories in 2019.

This is also the first locally acquired case ever detected in New York, said the state Health Department. Health officials explained that transmission occurs when a mosquito bites an infected traveler, becomes infected, and then bites another person. The mosquito species known to carry chikungunya, Aedes albopictus, exists in parts of downstate New York. People are advised to prevent bites by wearing long sleeves and removing standing water from items like flowerpots. However, cooler nighttime temperatures in New York currently make the risk of transmission “very low,” said State Health Commissioner James McDonald.

Although locally acquired cases have been almost nonexistent in recent years, the CDC has recorded several travel-related infections in the U.S., including 199 cases in 2024 and 152 in 2023.

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A resident in the suburbs of New York City has tested positive for chikungunya, which is a mosquito-borne virus more commonly seen in South America and not reported on the U.S. mainland in over a decade. Health officials confirmed that the virus, which often causes fever and joint pain, was identified in a Long Island patient who began showing symptoms in August after traveling outside the local area, though not internationally. The infection likely came from a mosquito bite, but it is unclear exactly where. So far, the virus has not been detected in local mosquito populations and cannot spread directly from person to person. As the virus reaches New York, it’s important to understand who is more vulnerable to chikungunya.Who Is More At Risk For Chikungunya?According to the World Health Organization, certain groups are more susceptible to severe chikungunya. Older adults, newborns, pregnant women, and individuals with pre-existing conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart disease are at higher risk of complications or slower recovery. While chikungunya rarely leads to death, it can produce sudden high fever, headaches, fatigue, rash, nausea, and red eyes. Symptoms typically appear 2 to 7 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Most people recover within a couple of weeks, but some may experience lingering joint and muscle pain for months or even years after infection.Where Is Chikungunya Found?Originally limited to Africa and Asia, chikungunya has now spread rapidly since 2004. Today, more than one-third of the global population lives in areas where the virus can be transmitted. These regions include parts of the Americas, Africa, Asia, Europe, and islands in the Caribbean as well as the Indian and Pacific Oceans, according to Mayo Clinic.Should You Be Worried About The Chikungunya Spread In The US?Most people recover within 1 to 2 weeks without additional symptoms. However, some develop chronic chikungunya arthritis, with joint and muscle pain lasting months or years, affecting at least 40% of those infected. Death from chikungunya is rare, but the virus can cause serious issues in vulnerable groups, including older adults, people with chronic conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure, young children, and pregnant individuals who could transmit the virus to their babies. Complications may involve the eyes, heart, or nervous system. Fortunately, a previous infection usually provides protection against future infections.Chikungunya: What’s Happening in the United States?The New York case marks the first locally acquired instance in the U.S. since 2015, meaning the patient contracted the virus without traveling elsewhere. Ten years ago, a single case was reported in Texas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and two cases occurred in U.S. territories in 2019.This is also the first locally acquired case ever detected in New York, said the state Health Department. Health officials explained that transmission occurs when a mosquito bites an infected traveler, becomes infected, and then bites another person. The mosquito species known to carry chikungunya, Aedes albopictus, exists in parts of downstate New York. People are advised to prevent bites by wearing long sleeves and removing standing water from items like flowerpots. However, cooler nighttime temperatures in New York currently make the risk of transmission “very low,” said State Health Commissioner James McDonald.Although locally acquired cases have been almost nonexistent in recent years, the CDC has recorded several travel-related infections in the U.S., including 199 cases in 2024 and 152 in 2023.