New viral epidemic in the neighbourhood |11 May 2005

A press release from the ministry says several cases of the disease have been reported there and that confirmatory tests have been done.

"It is suspected that the virus may have come from Comoros where 4,500 cases have been recorded since last year," the ministry said, noting that the disease is transmitted by mosquitoes of the species Aedes aegypti.

Patients run a fever that rises up to and above 40 degrees Celsius, suffer general weakness and experience severe joint pain, especially in the morning.

They may also notice some swelling, develop rashes and suffer headaches, three to 12 days after being bitten by an infective mosquito, but the disease lasts only between three and five days, although the joint pains may persist longer.

"There are no specific preventive vaccines or tablets and treatment is just supportive and symptomatic," the ministry said, but advised no travel restrictions.

"Should you suspect that you have such an illness, you should report to your health centre," the ministry said, urging people to avoid mosquito bites by using nets over their beds and wearing long sleeved clothes at peak biting time while overseas.

MHSS will give further details on the epidemic Thursday May 12.