Chikungunya fever in Singapore

This item appears on page 19 of the March 2008 issue.

As of Jan. 25, 2008, 11 cases of chikungunya fever had been reported in Singapore. The clustering of cases in a small area suggests local transmission of chikungunya virus through mosquitoes.

Symptoms usually include acute onset of fever and joint pain with or without joint swelling. Deaths are rare.