In a follow-up to a report Sunday, where  there was 11 suspected cases of the mosquitoborne virus, chikungunya, the Regional Agency for Health (ARS) is now reporting eight confirmed cases in the Territorial collectivity of Saint Barthélemy, or St. Barts, according to a La Parisienne report Wednesday (computer translated).

Health officials say, “In light of epidemics of dengue and chikungunya that affect the Island of Saint Martin, it remains imperative to continue the activities of epidemiological and entomological surveillance and fight against the mosquito, Aedes aegypti, the single vector of these viruses “

Cases of chikungunya virus infections identified in December 2013 in the Caribbean are due to an “Asian strain” virus, and there is an “extremely high risk” of transmission in the United States, a French specialist said last Friday.

The report notes that ”mosquito spraying are regularly organized by the services of ARS and will intensify in the coming days”.

In related news, the World Health Organization (WHO) released an updated Chikungunya Fact Sheetearlier this week. Some of the factoids highlighted include “Since 2004, chikungunya fever has reached epidemic proportions, with considerable morbidity and suffering.” and “The disease shares some clinical signs with dengue, and can be misdiagnosed in areas where dengue is common.”

For the original report go tohttp://www.theglobaldispatch.com/chikungunya-in-the-caribbean-eight-cases-confirmed-in-saint-barthelemy-42103/