Global health R&D at work in Florida
University of Florida scientists are studying how Florida mosquito species spread chikungunya virus. The virus, which occurs mostly in Africa, Asia, and India, arrived in the Caribbean several years ago; since then, more than 3,800 cases have been diagnosed in Florida. The virus causes fever, headaches, muscle and joint pain, and, in some cases, chronic rheumatoid arthritis. The study will help scientists model chikungunya transmission to better control outbreaks.