March 7, 2023

U.S. CDC: Increased Chikungunya Virus Activity in Paraguay and Associated Risk to Travelers

Please review this advisory on the potential for chikungunya infection after travel to Paraguay. Consider testing for chikungunya in patients with unexplained encephalitis, meningitis, fever, or polyarthralgia. Chikungunya is a serious arboviral infection transmitted from the bite of an infected mosquito. Maine does not have mosquitoes that transmit this virus and there is no risk of local transmission. Most people are infected while travelling abroad to an area with known chikungunya activity. This disease has potentially severe and even fatal consequences for those who contract it. Maine's Health and Environmental Testing Laboratory (HETL) can test for chikungunya.

If you suspect chikungunya infection, you may submit serum and CSF samples to HETL for arboviral testing. Chikungunya is a reportable disease. All suspect cases and positive lab reports should be reported to Maine CDC by phone to the 24/7 disease reporting and consultation line at 1-800-821-5821 or by fax to 1-800-293-7534.

Advisory (PDF)