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BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Public Health Commission says officials have confirmed four cases of chikungunya (chik-en-gun-ye), a virus transmitted by mosquitoes.
WCVB.com reports (http://bit.ly/1r0cJj7 ) that no public threat or advisory has been issued.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says he most common symptoms of chikungunya virus infection are fever and joint pain. Other symptoms may include headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, or rash.
It said the risk of the virus being imported would be from infected travelers. There is no vaccine to prevent or medicine to treat chikungunya virus infection.
Chikungunya virus has been known for decades in Africa and Asia. The first case directly caused by a mosquito in the Western Hemisphere was documented late last year, in French St. Martin.
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Information from: WCVB-TV, http://www.thebostonchannel.com
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