Haiti: 50% of the population could be affected by the chikungunya epidemic

Haiti: 50% of the population could be affected by the chikungunya epidemic. HT: Crof.

Via HaitiLibre.com: 50% of the population could be affected by the chikungunya epidemic. Excerpt and then a comment:

The chikungunya epidemic, which began in late 2013 in the Americas, was detected for the first time in Haiti in May and its rapid spread has led the Haitian government to officially declare a medical emergency. 

To date, Haiti has recorded more than 65,000 cases of chikungunya and those responsible for public health, estimate that up to 50% of the population could be affected by the epidemic. 

Unlike many other diseases transmitted by mosquitoes, no vaccine is available to prevent chikungunya. Common symptoms include fever and joint pain, which can be severe and disabling. 

On Wednesday, the First Lady, Sophia Martelly, visited accompanied by Dr. Florence Guillaume, Minister of Public Health and Population (MSPP) and Dr. George Dubuche, the Director General of the Ministry, went to the Direct Relief warehouse in Port-au-Prince, where drugs to treat one million people will be distributed to 904 public health sites to the population, and others Direct Relief partner hospitals. 

The shipment contains more than 6.1 million Defined Daily Doses of pain relievers, oral rehydration packs, antibiotics, IV solution, malaria tablets, and mosquito spray. This distribution comes in the midst of a rainy season, expected to cause a wave of new cases.

In other words, over five million people could fall ill with chikungunya in Haiti.

Others affected would be the family members who depend on the income and care of relatives who fall ill. Economically, chikungunya may do more damage than cholera has after almost four years: at least 706,291 cases and 8,584 deaths. (Typically, those are MSPP's latest numbers—from August 27.)

Hmmm....I know i'm one of the few who posts about Chikungunya, but if this gets hold in the US wetlands you'll see an epidemic of biblical proportions. Read up on it and prepare.