First Case of Chikungunya Virus Confirmed in Spain - Disease Control Center

The first domestically contracted cases of the chikungunya virus have been reported in Spain.

MADRID (Sputnik) — The first domestically contracted cases of the mosquito-borne chikungunya virus have been reported in Spain, the European Center for Disease Control (ECDC) confirmed on Tuesday.

"This is the first chikungunya case reported from Spain without travel history to endemic areas. The infection occurred most likely in the city of Gandía, Valencia community. The case developed symptoms on July 7 while traveling in France," the ECDC statement read.

According to the document, a 60-year old man was unlikely to be infected in France because of the short duration of his stay in that country and the fact that no imported chikungunya cases were reported in France in 2015.

The chikungunya fever, reported in some 40 countries, is rarely fatal but its symptoms include high fever, joint swelling, pain, nausea, headache, rash and fatigue.

The disease, which is typically only found in Africa and Southeast Asia, has a very low mortality rate of about 1 death per 1,000 cases, with those already sick most at risk. The fever has no specific treatment.