Chikungunya Virus Infection

Prevention

-         No vaccine exists to prevent chikungunya virus infection or disease.

-          Prevent chikungunya virus infection by avoiding mosquito bites (see below).

-          The mosquitoes that spread the chikungunya virus bite mostly during the daytime.

Protect Yourself from Mosquito Bites

-        Use air conditioning or window/door screens to keep mosquitoes outside.  If you are not able to protect yourself from mosquitoes inside your home or hotel, sleep under a mosquito bed net.

-        Help reduce the number of mosquitoes outside your home or hotel room by emptying standing water from containers such as flowerpots or buckets.

-        When weather permits, wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants.

-        Use insect repellents

o   Repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, and oil of lemon eucalyptus and para-menthane-diol products provide long lasting protection.

o   If you use both sunscreen and insect repellent, apply the sunscreen first and then the repellent.

o   Do not spray repellent on the skin under your clothing.

o   Treat clothing with permethrin or purchase permethrin-treated clothing.

o   Always follow the label instructions when using insect repellent or sunscreen.

If you have chikungunya, follow these instructions:

-        During the first week of infection, chikungunya virus can be found in the blood and passed from an infected person to another mosquito through mosquito bites. An infected mosquito can then transmit the virus to other people.

-        To prevent further spread of the virus, it is important for people to avoid mosquito bites during the first week of illness.