Talking Points: Chikungunya Virus (November 11, 2016)
Talking Points – Chikungunya
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The following Talking Points can be used in conversations with the media and customers when discussing chikungunya, a mosquito borne virus, and travel to a variety of destinations. (Updated November 11, 2016)
1. The CDC hasn’t implemented any travel restrictions due to confirmed cases of chikungunya in Fiji, Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean and South America. However, in keeping with its “Level 1 – Watch,” the CDC recommends that some travelers consult with their physicians before traveling to affected areas.
2. There are simple precautions travelers can take to minimize their risk of being bitten by an infected mosquito.
3. We are here to assist our clients; the safety and well-being of our clients is our top priority.
Below you will find additional information, supporting material and statistics to help further illustrate each talking point.
1. The CDC hasn’t implemented any travel restrictions due to confirmed cases of chikungunya in Fiji, Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean and South America. However, in keeping with its “Level 1 – Watch,” the CDC recommends that some travelers consult with their physicians before traveling to affected areas.
“Chikungunya (pronunciation: \chik-en-gun-ye) virus is transmitted to people by mosquitoes,” according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which describes the illness as follows:
o “The most common symptoms of chikungunya virus infection are fever and joint pain. Other symptoms may include headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, or rash.”
As of November 11, 2016, the Pan American Health Organization says that 121,669 cases of chikungunya have been reported this year.
Chikungunya cases have been reported in several countries in Fiji, Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean and South America, which has prompted the CDC to update their “Level 1 – Watch” for those areas.
A CDC “Level 1: Watch” for travelers is its lowest level “Travel Health Notice,” which means to “practice usual precautions.” However, the CDC indicates that “some travelers may be more likely to get chikungunya, have severe disease or be at higher risk for other reasons. CDC advises travelers in high-risk groups to discuss their travel plans with their health care provider. These groups include the following:
o People who have arthritis
o People with serious underlying medical conditions (such as high blood pressure, heart disease or diabetes)
o People older than 65
o Women who are late in their pregnancies, because of the risk to babies born at the time when their mother is sick
o Long-term travelers, including missionaries and humanitarian aid workers and people visiting friends and relatives
o People who might have difficulty avoiding mosquito bites, such as those planning to spend a lot of time outdoors or staying in rooms without screens or air conditioning.
CNN reports that chikungunya was originally identified in East Africa in the 1950s. Then about 10 years ago, chikungunya spread to the Indian Ocean and India, and a few years later an outbreak in northern Italy sickened about 200 people. Since spreading to the Americas one year ago, it has infected more than 1 million people.
There is no vaccine to prevent or medicine to treat chikungunya virus infection. The symptoms of chikungunya can be treated, but disease prevention is the most effective way for travelers to avoid chikungunya.
o The CDC Fact Sheet for clinicians on chikungunya states that “Acute symptoms typically resolve within 7–10 days.”
The World Health Organization (WHO) states that “The disease shares some clinical signs with dengue, and can be misdiagnosed in areas where dengue is common.”
2. There are simple precautions travelers can take to minimize their risk of being bitten by an infected mosquito.
While there is no vaccine or medication to prevent chikungunya, the CDC offers some tips on avoiding mosquito bites, including:
o Cover exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats.
o Use an appropriate insect repellent as directed. Higher percentages of active ingredient provide longer protection. Use products with the following active ingredients: DEET, Picaridin, Oil of lemon eucalyptus, and/or IR3535.
o If using sunscreen, apply sunscreen first and insect repellent second.
o Stay and sleep in screened or air-conditioned rooms.
o Use a bed net if the area where you are sleeping is exposed to the outdoors.
The WHO website states: “Basic precautions should be taken by people traveling to risk areas and these include use of repellents, wearing long sleeves and pants and ensuring rooms are fitted with screens to prevent mosquitoes from entering.”
If a traveler becomes ill and believes it may be chikungunya, he/she should:
o Talk to his/her doctor or nurse, especially if a fever is present and tell medical professionals about recent travel destinations.
o Get lots of rest and drink plenty of liquids.
o Avoid spreading the disease by preventing more mosquito bites.
3. As travel agents, our clients can take heart that they booked through us. We are an unbiased advocate and can offer them both assistance and peace-of-mind.
We would not send our clients to a particular destination if we believe it to be unsafe. Should we become aware of an issue for a specific destination, we alert clients who may be planning to travel there and provide detailed information on the situation so they can make informed decisions for themselves if they still wish to travel.
We strongly encourage all of our clients, whether they are traveling domestically or internationally, to purchase travel insurance, particularly right at the same time as travel
has been booked. Travel insurance offers an additional layer of protection for travelers and can potentially help save a traveler hundreds or thousands of dollars if a medical or travel emergency occurs.
We are advocates for our clients; and they know that by working with a true travel professional, we are there for them before, during, and after their trip should they need us – which gives them peace of mind.
By working with a trusted travel professional, we can provide providing alternative travel arrangements should the need arise.
Our business is founded on repeat customers. Therefore, we want to be sure everything goes off without a hitch.