Two cases of Chikungunya have been diagnosed in Puerto Vallarta, the first known cases to have been infected in the State of Jalisco. Previous infections in the state resulted by travelers being exposed in other countries or states while traveling. There have been a total of 11 cases treated in Jalisco.
The two cases in the El Ranchito community of Puerto Vallarta are not linked to any travel outside of the area and are Jalisco’s first indigenous cases on record. Director for Jalisco’s Ministry of Health, Hector Ramirez Cordero, said the two patients were female and ages three and 41 years old.
Both patients experienced fever and severe joint pain since last May 18, which led them to visit the Regional Hospital of Puerto Vallarta. They did not require hospitalization, but were Bedridden for several days.
Following the discovery, the agency made a health patrol in a 15 village radius to find more probable cases, spraying and fogging to kill the mosquito transmitter and keep it from going to the urban areas. In total, 492 thousand homes were visited by public health officials.
With these first cases, the epidemiological situation in Jalisco is in control, but not out of danger, the official said. The virus could have a 7-day incubation period so officials will not be confident in the control of the virus until after two weeks have passed.
Chikungunya and dengue are transmitted by mosquitos biting an infected person and passing on the virus to more people, it is not passed through human to human exposure.
