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.
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.
