Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico - The city of Guadalajara has reported four new indigenous cases of the chikungunya virus, the Jalisco Ministry of Health (SJS) said at a press conference on Monday.

The last three occurred in the Independence and Dr. Atl colonias, which can be considered an outbreak in the area.

An 'outbreak' is declared when a disease occurs in an area where a virus did not spread previously, and whose cases appeared in a short span of time.

At the press conference, the state coordinator of dengue and chikungunya, Salvador Garcia Hernandez, said the cases were already under control and there is no increased risk of infection.

"These cases are already being addressed, they were isolated and not a big problem; there are very few cases in Jalisco in relation to other states."

There have been 11 new cases of chikungunya infections registered in the last week; seven were reported by Jaliscienses who traveled to other places where the virus is more prevalent, and four indigenous cases (three in Guadalajara and one in Tomatlan), whose transmission was in the state.

To date, 14 indigenous and 34 imported cases of chikungunya have been registered in Jalisco, for a total of 48 infections in the state. The indigenous cases were distributed among Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara, La Huerta, Cuautitlan and Tomatlán.

The profile of those who have been affected by chikungunya is mostly men and women in the generative age group.

IMSS Delays in the Reporting of Cases

The Director of Public Health of the SSJ, Hector Ramirez Cordero, said they have noticed a considerable delay in the reporting of chikungunya cases by all of the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) facilities.

When information on new cases isn't reported to the SSJ in a timely manner it directly affects the preventative actions that can be made in the colonia where the infection occurred. "We have talked with the IMSS, we've talked with epidemiologists, we are closing ranks, and hopefully that's the last time this happens, but experience tells us that if the IMSS is not reporting to us right now, they are not going to make timely reports in the future, that's why we are strengthening actions for timely notice."

Therefore, the SJS has made several telephone lines available for the general public to call if you have symptoms related to chikungunya, such as high fever, joint and eye pains and headaches, among others.

When the SSJ staff receives a report they make a home visit to verify whether it is a probable case of the virus and, if so, act immediately to examine and attend to the patient and his environment.

These lines will be available from 8 am to 8 pm, Monday to Friday.

Zapopan: 331-204-3261
Tonala: (cell) 331-869-4087
Tlaquepaque: 333-030-5625
Guadalajara: 333-030-6611