As mosquito-borne illnesses come back to the forefront in warmer Texas weather, physicians should be aware of a nearby rise in chikungunya cases global officials are calling attention to in South America where the virus had not been in circulation for years.
That’s according to an epidemiological alert from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). No cases of locally acquired chikungunya have been reported yet this year in North America. However, PAHO data shows the virus is spreading across the northern portion of South America after more than a decade of low transmission across the continent.
Physicians should always remind patients to cover their skin or wear long sleeves and pants. Also, physicians can warn patients to be careful when traveling abroad or to coastal regions, says El Paso pediatrician Hector Ocaranza, MD, a member of TMA’s Council on Science and Public Health. A thorough question list after a patient returns from travel can also help with timely care.
The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) monitors mosquito-borne illnesses including chikungunya, West Nile virus, Zika, dengue, and yellow fever. There were 10 cases of chikungunya in Texas in 2025 and 58 cases of dengue virus. The majority of arbovirus activity – illness transmitted by arthropods such as mosquitoes and ticks – in Texas in 2025 was related to West Nile virus, with 1,287 cases.
Harris County is currently the only county in Texas that has reported finding West Nile virus in mosquitoes so far in 2026, according to DSHS data.
Dr. Ocaranza says El Paso physicians are also monitoring for Rickettsial diseases, tick-borne illnesses prevalent on the Mexican side of the border that can be fatal in children. Physicians can access the state’s toolkit of mosquito-borne disease resources online. DSHS also has a child’s activity sheet labeled “Don’t Give Mosquitoes A Biting Chance” along with fact sheets for patients.
PAHO also advises “every effort” should be made to enlist community support for the prevention of mosquito-borne illnesses. This includes cleaning of indoor and outdoor breeding sites like water storage containers such as drums or elevated tanks and cleaning of roof gutters to prevent water buildup.
For more information, visit the DSHS information page on mosquito-borne illnesses or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
Last Updated On
April 01, 2026
Originally Published On
April 01, 2026