Document type
ArticleVersion
Published versionPublication date
Publication license
Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/2445/102455
Chikungunya virus infections among travellers returning to Spain, 2008 to 2014
Journal Title
Director/Tutor
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Related resource
Abstract
Since the first documented autochthonous transmission of
chikungunya virus in the Caribbean island of Saint Martin in
2013, the infection has been reported within the Caribbean
region as well as North, Central and South America. The risk of
autochthonous transmission of chikungunya virus becoming
established in Spain may be elevated due to the large numbers of
travellers returning to Spain from countries affected by the
2013 epidemic in the Caribbean and South America, as well as the
existence of the Aedes albopictus vector in certain parts of
Spain. We retrospectively analysed the laboratory diagnostic
database of the National Centre for Microbiology, Institute of
Health Carlos III (CNM-ISCIII) from 2008 to 2014. During the
study period, 264 confirmed cases, of 1,371 suspected cases,
were diagnosed at the CNM-ISCIII. In 2014 alone, there were 234
confirmed cases. The highest number of confirmed cases were
reported from the Dominican Republic (n = 136), Venezuela (n =
30) and Haiti (n = 11). Six cases were viraemic in areas of
Spain where the vector is present. This report highlights the
need for integrated active case and vector surveillance in Spain
and other parts of Europe where chikungunya virus may be
introduced by returning travellers.
Subject
Subject (English)
Citation
Citation
FERNÁNDEZ-GARCÍA, María Dolores, et al. Chikungunya virus infections among travellers returning to Spain, 2008 to 2014. Euro Surveillance. 2016. Vol. 21, num. 36, pags. 1-9. ISSN 1025-496X. [consulted: 7 of August of 2026]. Available at: https://hdl.handle.net/2445/102455