Travel-related chikungunya cases in Canada, 2014

Since the spring of 2014, there has been a large increase in travel-related chikungunya cases diagnosed in Canada. As of December 9, 2014, 320 confirmed and 159 probable cases have been diagnosed in Canada, with the majority of provinces identifying at least one imported case. This surge in Canadian infections has been associated with the incursion of chikungunya virus into the Caribbean and the expansion of the virus in the Americas. Ongoing outbreaks in the Asia-Pacific region have also contributed to imported cases among Canadian travellers. Heightened awareness of chikungunya among clinicians is key to diagnosis. This highlights the need to ask for a travel history from anyone who presents with fever or recent onset of polyarthralgia, and to consider testing by provincial laboratories and the National Microbiology Laboratory for chikungunya virus and other diseases as indicated. Also essential is continued communication with travellers regarding the use of preventative measures to decrease the risk of exposure to mosquitoes when travelling to endemic areas.