Paraguay's Chikungunya Outbreak Continues in 2023

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) updated its Arboviral Situation Summary stated is very important for the Southern Hemisphere to be prepared to intensify prevention and control actions in the face of any increase in Chikungunysa virus (CHIKV) cases in 2023.

On January 25, 2023, the PAHO highlighted the Republic of Paraguay's increase in CHIKV cases in late 2022.

After a normal start, the number of CHIKV cases reported weekly in the last three weeks averaged 750 cases. This data compares with 576 in 2021.

Throughout 2022, Paraguay's neighbor Brazil led all Southern Hemisphere countries with 265,265 suspected chikungunya cases.

Since 2004, outbreaks of CHIKV have become more frequent and have been identified in over 110 countries in Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas. 

Chikungunya is a viral disease transmitted to humans through the bites of mosquitoes infected with the CHKV, says the World Health Organization (WHO). Severe symptoms and deaths from chikungunya infections are rare and usually related to other coexisting health problems.

Mosquitoes transmit the Chikungunya virus.

Most patients recover fully from the infection; however, people at extremes of the age spectrum are at higher risk for severe disease.

Newborns infected during delivery and older people with underlying medical conditions may become severely ill, and CHIKV infection can increase the risk of death.

Once an individual is recovered, available evidence suggests they will likely be immune from future infections.

As of January 29, 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved any chikungunya vaccine candidates currently conducting late-stage clinical trials.

However, Valneva SE completed the rolling submission of the Biologics License Application to the U.S. FDA on December 23, 2022, for VLA1553, a monovalent, single-dose, live-attenuated chikungunya vaccine.

From a traveling perspective, the United Kingdom stated in December 2022, before traveling, check the 'Entry requirements' section for Paraguay's current entry restrictions and requirements.

And all travelers to and from Bolivia, Brazil, Peru, and Venezuela are obliged to present an International Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate to authorize their entry and exit of the country.

There are two yellow fever vaccines available worldwide.