THE Ministry of Health has reported seven additional cases of Chikungunya.

This brings the total number of confirmed cases for Jamaica to 17 — 14 from local transmission, two imported and one still under investigation because of the individual’s travel history, the health ministry said.

Director of emergency, disaster management and special services in the ministry, Dr Marion Bullock DuCasse said the positive results for the seven additional cases were received Tuesday from samples sent to the Caribbean Public Health Agency.

The affected parishes remain St Thomas, St Catherine, St Ann and Kingston and St Andrew.

“I want to emphasise the importance of protecting oneself from mosquito bites, including when travelling to countries with Chikungunya transmission. Persons should also get rid of mosquitoes and their breeding sites in and around the home and be even more vigilant when they have guests from affected areas,” Dr DuCasse said.

She added that major emphasis has to also be placed on finding and destroying mosquito breeding sites.

Chikungunya is spread by the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito which is generally found in and around places where people inhabit. Jamaicans were urged to search for and destroy mosquito breeding sites by getting rid of old tyres and containers in which water can settle, punching holes in tins before disposing, and covering large drums, barrels and tanks holding water.