6 Feb 2015

Cook Islands confirms chikungunya cases

3:24 pm on 6 February 2015

The Cook Islands ministry of health has confirmed seven cases of chikungunya on Rarotonga and the community is being urged to destroy potential mosquito breeding sites.

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Authorities in Cook Islands are urging communities to eradicate mosquito breeding areas. Photo: AFP

The ministry says four of the seven cases were imported, with patients contracting the disease overseas before returning to Rarotonga.

Cook Islands News reports the health protection manager Tata Vaeau saying prevention efforts, such as spraying, and raising public awareness, will continue.

It reports that over the Summer the Cook Islands has also had 3 confirmed cases of dengue fever.

Chikungunya, dengue and the zika virus all have similar symptoms.