A mosquito-borne virus that has spread quickly since the first locally transmitted case in the Western Hemisphere in December has been confirmed in a Fort Wayne resident who recently traveled to the Caribbean. The Indiana State Department of Health says the chikungunya virus detected in Allen County doesn't often cause death, but symptoms including high fever and joint pain that can be severe. Other symptoms include headache, muscle pain, joint swelling or rash. It says most patients feel better within a week, but joint pain can persist for months. The agency says people who develop these symptoms after traveling to the Caribbean or other areas where chikungunya is found should contact a health care provider immediately.
