The Travel Health and Vaccine Specialists

Health Alert


LEVEL 1 - PRACTICE USUAL PRECAUTIONS

Chikungunya in French Polynesia

Updated February 20, 2015

Updated: February 18, 2015

What is the current situation?

An outbreak of chikungunya has been ongoing in French Polynesia since October 2014, with more than 69,000 cases and 16 deaths reported. Although, there are still new cases being reported, chikungunya in French Polynesia is reported to be on the decline.

CDC recommends that travelers to French Polynesia(http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/french-polynesia) protect themselves from chikungunya by preventing mosquito bites(http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/avoid-bug-bites). Some travelers may be more likely to get chikungunya, have severe disease, or be at higher risk for other reasons. CDC advises travelers in high-risk groups to discuss their travel plans with their health care provider. These groups include the following:

  • People who have arthritis
  • People with serious underlying medical conditions (such as high blood pressure, heart disease, or diabetes)
  • People older than 65
  • Women who are late in their pregnancies, because of the risk to babies born at the time their mother is sick
  • Long-term travelers, including missionaries and humanitarian aid workers and people visiting friends and relatives
  • People who might have difficulty avoiding mosquito bites, such as those planning to spend a lot of time outdoors or staying in rooms without window screens or air conditioning.

What can travelers do to prevent chikungunya?

There is currently no vaccine or medicine to prevent chikungunya. The only way to prevent chikungunya is to prevent mosquito bites. Preventing bites can be difficult, but it is important as you can get sick after just one bite. Follow these steps to reduce the chances that you will be bitten by mosquitoes during your trip.

Prevent mosquito bites:

  • Cover exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats.
  • Use an appropriate insect repellent as directed.
  • Higher percentages of active ingredient provide longer protection. Use products with the following active ingredients:
    • DEET (Products containing DEET include Off!, Cutter, Sawyer, and Ultrathon)
    • Picaridin (also known as KBR 3023, Bayrepel, and icaridin products containing picaridin include Cutter Advanced, Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus, and Autan [outside the US])
    • Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or PMD (Products containing OLE include Repel and Off! Botanicals)
    • IR3535  (Products containing IR3535 include Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus Expedition and SkinSmart)
  • Always follow product directions and reapply as directed:
    • If you are also using sunscreen, apply sunscreen first and insect repellent second.
    • Follow package directions when applying repellent on children. Avoid applying repellent to their hands, eyes, and mouth.
  • Use permethrin-treated clothing and gear (such as boots, pants, socks, and tents). You can buy pre-treated clothing and gear or treat them yourself:
    • Treated clothing remains protective after multiple washings. See the product information to find out how long the protection will last.
    • If treating items yourself, follow the product instructions carefully.
    • Do not use permethrin directly on skin.
  • Stay and sleep in screened or air conditioned rooms.
  • Use a bed net if the area where you are sleeping is exposed to the outdoors.

If you feel sick and think you may have chikungunya:

Traveler Information

Clinician Information