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| Chikungunya infections spread to Colombia | Chikungunya infections spread to Colombia |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Colombia's health ministry has confirmed the first four cases of chikungunya virus in the country. | Colombia's health ministry has confirmed the first four cases of chikungunya virus in the country. |
| All four are thought to have contracted the mosquito-borne virus locally. | |
| Tens of thousands of people have been infected in other Caribbean countries since the outbreak in the Americas began in December. | Tens of thousands of people have been infected in other Caribbean countries since the outbreak in the Americas began in December. |
| There is currently no vaccine or treatment for the mosquito-born virus, which resembles dengue fever and can cause fever, skin rash and joint pain. | There is currently no vaccine or treatment for the mosquito-born virus, which resembles dengue fever and can cause fever, skin rash and joint pain. |
| Far from its usual home of Africa and Asia, it is the first time it has spread locally in the Americas. | |
| "Based on what has happened in other countries, chikungunya could infect about 670,000 people in Colombia in the next few months," said Deputy Health Minister Fernando Ruiz. | "Based on what has happened in other countries, chikungunya could infect about 670,000 people in Colombia in the next few months," said Deputy Health Minister Fernando Ruiz. |
| Those most at risk were people living at altitudes of no more than 2,200m (7,200ft) above sea level, where the climate is warmer, Mr Ruiz said. | Those most at risk were people living at altitudes of no more than 2,200m (7,200ft) above sea level, where the climate is warmer, Mr Ruiz said. |
| What is chikungunya? | What is chikungunya? |
| • Viral disease spread by mosquitoes that bite during daylight hours | • Viral disease spread by mosquitoes that bite during daylight hours |
| • No direct person-to-person transmission | • No direct person-to-person transmission |
| • Name derives from a word meaning "to become contorted" from the African Kimakonde language | • Name derives from a word meaning "to become contorted" from the African Kimakonde language |
| • Symptoms include the sudden onset of fever and joint pain, particularly affecting the hands, wrists, ankles and feet | • Symptoms include the sudden onset of fever and joint pain, particularly affecting the hands, wrists, ankles and feet |
| • Most patients recover after a few days but in some cases the joint pain may persist for weeks, months or even longer | • Most patients recover after a few days but in some cases the joint pain may persist for weeks, months or even longer |