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Outbreak of Chikungunya in Karachi, Pakistan (Update)

23 May 2017

The Sindh Health Department has reported at least 627 new suspected cases of chikungunya in Karachi between 1 May 2017 and 19 May 2017. Cases have been reported from Malir (343), District West (188), District Central (42), District South (24), District East (23) and District Korangi (7).

This brings the total number of cases in the city to 3 108 since 19 December 2016.

A World Health Organisation (WHO) team has also investigated an outbreak of chikungunya in Balochistan in recent weeks.

Advice for Travellers

No vaccine is available against chikungunya. Avoidance of mosquito bites is the only reliable means of prevention. Methods of bite avoidance include:

Wearing long, loose, lightly coloured clothing to cover up the skin.

The use of insect repellant containing DEET applied to any exposed skin.

The use of permethrin impregnated mosquito nets.

The use of air conditioning if available and/or mesh screening of windows and doors.

Eradication of mosquito breeding sites around the home (e.g. open containers, old tyres or flower pots that may collect water).