First Chikungunya Case in Six Years Detected in New York

A New York resident tested positive for chikungunya, marking the first local transmission of this mosquito-borne virus in the U.S. in six years. The infected individual traveled outside their region but remained within the country. Health officials assure there's no ongoing transmission and the risk is currently low.

New York has reported its first local transmission of the chikungunya virus in six years, with a resident in Nassau County testing positive, state health officials announced Tuesday.

Though the person did not leave the country, they began showing symptoms in August after traveling outside their home region. Health officials believe an infected mosquito likely bit the individual, but no local mosquito pools have yet tested positive for the virus.

Commissioner James McDonald noted that the risk of ongoing transmission is very low due to the cooler fall temperatures reducing mosquito activity. Meanwhile, local mosquitoes can still carry other viral threats. New York has had three other chikungunya cases this year, all linked to international travel.

(With inputs from agencies.)