CDC Issues Travel Warning for Chikungunya Virus in Bolivia

Holiday spots in South America are now on alert following an emergency warning from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) about a chikungunya virus outbreak. Bolivia received a level 2 notice regarding the virus on February 10.

The advisory states that “Chikungunya fever is occurring in Bolivia’s Santa Cruz and Cochabamba departments.” The CDC emphasizes that avoiding mosquito bites can help protect yourself from this virus.

The symptoms of chikungunya typically manifest as fever and joint pain, appearing three to seven days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Other signs may include headaches, muscle aches, swollen joints, and a rash. Most people recover within a week, though, in some cases, severe joint pain can linger for months or even years.

Interestingly, while deaths from chikungunya are rare, the CDC still recommends travelers get vaccinated and take precautions against mosquito bites. These precautions include using insect repellent, wearing long-sleeved clothing, and staying in places with air conditioning or properly screened windows and doors.

The CDC recently upgraded its advisory to Level 2 for the chikungunya virus in the Seychelles as well. In December, alerts were also issued for Cuba, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and China’s Guangdong province, urging travelers to adopt enhanced precautions.

Additionally, Bolivia had issued a Level 1 alert in May last year for measles, indicating an increase in cases globally. In light of this, the CDC recommends that all international travelers be fully vaccinated against measles with the MMR vaccine.

In 2020, Bolivia welcomed about 323,300 international tourists, a figure that might see significance as travelers weigh these warnings during their trips.