Mosquito virus chikungunya spreads to US

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Most people know to avoid mosquitoes because of the West Nile virus. But another mosquito-borne virus is starting to spread in the U.S.

Called chikungunya fever, the illness has no known cure or treatment.

Health officials are warning Americans to be extra vigilant. Vector control experts say travelers recently in the Caribbean brought the virus into the country.

The first case was reported in North Carolina. Health officials in Tennessee say they are investigating a potential case there, too.

The symptoms kick in about three to seven days after receiving the mosquito bite, and last about a week. The symptoms are not pleasant: fever, headache, vomiting, rash and joint pain. The joint pain can last for months.

The CDC says there are usually just 28 cases of the virus here in the U.S. each year. But so far, officials have already confirmed 38 imported cases.

The spike in chikungunya cases should serve as a reminder about the potential danger of insect bites.

"They do carry multiple infections that are acquirable in the United States. Even if there isn't talk of chikungunya or malaria going on, it's still important to protect yourself against mosquito bites," said Dr. Megan Davies with the North Carolina Department of Health.

More than 100,000 people in the Caribbean have come down with this painful virus. Every year, 9 million Americans travel there, and are at risk.