New Mosquito-Borne Virus Could Migrate to US

As if West Nile virus and malaria weren’t bad enough, new research found that Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), a serious mosquito-borne virus with no vaccine or treatment, could migrate to the United States within a year due to climate change.

The chance of a U.S. outbreak varies by season and geography, and regions with long periods of warm weather are at a higher risk, according to HealthDay News. This is worrisome to experts because many cities experienced the warmest winter seasons on record this past year.

Chikungunya virus is spread by an infected mosquito, but few people actually die of the illness. Symptoms of the disease are similar to dengue fever and include joint pain, fever, headaches, fatigue and nausea.