Chikungunya Virus

Chikungunya (pronunciation: chik-en-gun-ye) virus is transmitted to people by mosquitoes; specifically the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. The most common symptoms of chikungunya virus infection are fever and joint pain. Other symptoms may include headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, or rash. Outbreaks have occurred in countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Indian and Pacific Oceans. In late 2013, chikungunya virus was found for the first time in the Americas on islands in the Caribbean. On July 16, 2014, the first locally acquired cases in the continental United States was identified in Florida. Chikungunya virus is not currently found in mosquitoes in Los Angeles County. There is a risk that the virus will be imported to new areas by infected travelers. There is no vaccine to prevent or medicine to treat chikungunya virus infection. Travelers can protect themselves by preventing mosquito bites. When traveling to countries with chikungunya virus, use insect repellent, wear long sleeves and pants, and stay in places with air conditioning or that use window and door screens.

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News and Updates:

Reported Chikungunya Cases*† Los Angeles County (updated 09/28/2016)
2014
2015
2016
Travel
Locally
Travel
Locally
Travel
Locally
Confirmed
17
0
17
0
2
0
Probable
33
0
90
0
2
0
Total
50
0
107
0
4
0

* Cases are provisional, based on passive reporting, and subject to change.
† Based on the Arboviral Case Definition established by the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE) . ‡ Travel within 2 weeks of onset.

Chikungunya Cases*† by Country/Region of Acquisition‡
Los Angeles County, 2014-2015 ( updated 09/28/2016 )

Country/Region
2014 Cases N (%)
2015 Cases N (%)
2016 Cases N (%)
El Salvador
31 (62.0)§
24 (22.4)
0 (0.0)
Jamaica
4 (8.0)
0 (0.0)
0 (0.0)
Honduras
3 (6.0)
4 (3.7)
0 (0.0)
Puerto Rico
3 (6.0)
2(1.9) ¶
0 (0.0)
Guatemala
2 (4.0)
23 (21.4) #
1 (25.0)
Other Central America
4 (8.0)
9 (8.5)
0 (0.0)
Other Caribbean
3 (6.0)
0 (0.0)
0 (0.0)
South America
2 (4.0)
2 (1.9)
0 (0.0)
Asia
1 (2.0)
1 (0.9)
0 (0.0)
Mexico
0 (0.0)
41 (38.3)
3 (75.0)
South Pacific
0 (0)
1 (0.9)
0 (0.0)
TOTAL
50 (100)
107 (100)
1 (100)

* Cases are provisional, based on passive reporting, and subject to change.
† Based on the Arboviral Case Definition established by the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE) . ‡ Travel within 2 weeks of onset.
§ Two cases also reported travel to Guatemala.
ǁ Once case also reported travel to Costa Rica.
¶ Two cases also reported travel to the US Virgin Islands.
# One case also reported travel to Belize.

Chikungunya Provisional Data, United States

Reporting Mosquito Breeding Sites and Areas with Water Accumulation

Acute Communicable Disease Control is responsible for monitoring and addressing human health problems in Los Angeles County, but is not directly involved with mosquito control activities. This important action is under the control of the county’s five independent mosquito control (abatement) districts. Beyond our county, the Health Departments of Long Beach and Pasadena also operate their own mosquito control programs.

To report a potential mosquito breeding situation, please contact the appropriate Mosquito Abatement District or city public health department:

Antelope Valley
(661) 942-2917
Greater Los Angeles
(562) 944-9656
L.A. County West
(310) 915-7370
City of Long Beach
(562) 570-4132
Compton Creek
(310) 933-5321
San Gabriel Valley
(626) 814-9466
City of Pasadena
(626) 744-6005
Orange County
(714) 971-2421

Additional information is available at SoCalMosquito.org

Find your Mosquito Abatement District by zip code

Do you know who to call: Mosquito Districts in LA flyer

To report potholes or street problems with water accumulation, contact the appropriate city utility; if the problem is in an unincorporated area, please contact the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works.