Paraguay's Chikungunya Outbreak Expands

The U.S. CDC published a health advisory on March 2, 2023, confirming Paraguay's ongoing chikungunya virus outbreak.

Paraguay's Ministry of Health recently reported a total of 71,478 suspect chikungunya cases in Paraguay (Asunción) since an outbreak began in October 2022.

In 2022, the number of chikungunya cases (273,685) reported to the Pan American Health Organization more than doubled the average annual number of cases.

To notify international travelers of potential health risks, the CDC issued a Watch - Level 1 travel alert regarding Paraguay's chikungunya outbreak on February 22, 2023.

Chikungunya virus is a mosquito-borne alphavirus transmitted by infected mosquitoes. The incubation period is typically 3–7 days. 

Unfortuantely, the U.S. FDA has not authorized a chikungunya preventive vaccine as of March 3, 2023.

The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recently reviewed Valneva SE's VLA1553 chikungunya vaccine candidate. 

The good news is VLA1553 has been assigned an FDA Prescription Drug User Fee Act date at the end of August 2023.

Other chikungunya vaccine development news is posted at Vax-Before-Travel.