Up until a couple of weeks ago, the only place where locally-acquired chikungunya infections had been detected was in the department of Paysandú, in the country’s west. However on May 13, the health ministry announced a case in the capital Montevideo in a person with no history of travel. The individual has now recovered and residents have been advised to avoid mosquito bites. Also in the region, in its May 19 update the health ministry in Paraguay said new chikungunya cases were decreasing, following a trend seen since the mid-March peak in infections. Dengue fever cases, however, were on the rise, with more than half from Central, Boquerón and Asunción. Read more
Advice for travellers
Chikungunya virus is spread by the same daytime-feeding mosquitoes that transmit dengue fever. There is no approved vaccine and preventing infection relies on avoiding mosquito bites. Apply an effective repellent when outdoors to all exposed skin. Read more about chikungunya.
Before you travel, call Travelvax Australia’s telephone advisory service on 1300 360 164 (toll-free from landlines) for country-specific advice and information. You can also make an appointment at your nearest Travelvax clinic to obtain vaccinations, medication to prevent or treat illness, and accessories for your journey.