Fourth Case Of Mosquito Borne Chikungunya Fever Confirmed In Florida

WEST PALM BEACH (CBSMiami/AP) — A fourth case of the mosquito-borne disease chikungunya fever has been confirmed in Florida.

The Palm Beach County Health Department said the 66-year-old man had recently traveled to the Caribbean.

Cases in Miami-Dade, Broward and Hillsborough counties were previously confirmed in others who had traveled to the Caribbean.

The disease is transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes. It has been documented in 40 countries in Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas. Symptoms typically begin three to seven days after being bitten and include fever and severe joint pains, often in the hands and feet.

There is no vaccine or medication to prevent the disease, but it rarely kills those infected.

(TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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