{"id":32178,"date":"2014-07-30T22:42:30","date_gmt":"2014-07-31T02:42:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thelehighacresgazette.com\/news\/?p=32178"},"modified":"2014-07-30T22:42:37","modified_gmt":"2014-07-31T02:42:37","slug":"chikungunya-in-hispaniola-reaches-a-pandemic-level-of-over-300000-cases","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thelehighacresgazette.com\/news\/2014\/07\/chikungunya-in-hispaniola-reaches-a-pandemic-level-of-over-300000-cases\/","title":{"rendered":"Chikungunya In Hispaniola Reaches A Pandemic Level Of Over 300,000 Cases"},"content":{"rendered":"

MATT SMITH, Independent Journalist<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Map from the CDC 2014<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A common occurrence during the start of rainy season on the SW Area of the State is those pesky mosquitoes.\u00a0 They always come and right on time is our Mosquito Control District in the local area going into action with systematic spraying and special area spraying.\u00a0 What\u2019s different this year is that illegal\u2019s are not the only thing slipping across the border, a new virus has slipped across and not only into Florida but places like Haiti and Puerto Rico, where this disease is at epidemic proportions this year. <\/strong><\/p>\n

Florida (77 cases) and Puerto Rico (193 cases) have the largest reports of cases this year.\u00a0 All are travel related except 2 patients in Florida where they were infected in State.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

On the Caribbean Island of Hispaniola, the outbreak total climbed to 306,837 suspected and confirmed cases, an increase of 42,393 from the previous week, according to a Jul 3 2014 update from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Nearly 30,000 of the new infections were reported in the Dominican Republic, while about 12,000 of them were reported in Haiti. The two countries together make up the island of Hispaniola.(2)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Most severity of the cases is with the elderly (65+ or newborns).\u00a0 With Lehigh Acres having a semi large population of retired people, the cases would have a moderate effect.\u00a0 There has been NO reports or related deaths due to this disease.\u00a0\u00a0 This problem is a community problem and if we all take simple precautions, this never will get out of control and effect your families or other people.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Shelly Redovan, CDM, Deputy Director, Education and Communication for the Lee County Mosquito Control District has indicated that they are geared up for this problem, but if anyone has questions on this issue, feel free to call them at 239-694-2174.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Prevention<\/span>(1)<\/span><\/p>\n