Haiti receives 6 million kits to treat mosquito borne virus through US based Direct Relief

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti _ Haiti has received millions of kits to treat the mosquito-borne virus known as chikungunya amid a rainy season expected to result in a surge of new cases in the country.

The kits include oral rehydration packs, mosquito spray and the pain reliever acetaminophen for a disease that has sickened tens of thousands of people in recent months.

Chikungunya has spread rapidly throughout the Caribbean since the first locally transmitted case was documented in late 2013. There is no cure for the illness, but the treatment kits can address symptoms that include high fever, severe headaches and debilitating joint pain.

Haitian First Lady Sophia Martelly and Health Minister Florence Duperval Guillaume on Wednesday announced the receipt of the 6.1 million treatment packs provided by U.S. medical aid group Direct Relief.