More than 5,000 Colombians have been infected by the dangerous new virus Chickungunya, local media reported on Wednesday.
The Caribbean region has been the worst impacted with the highest number of victims in the country. The National Institute of Health said it currently has 5,785 cases in total under surveillance, reported El Heraldo newspaper.
Reports of cases have come in from the Amazon region and the states of Putumayo, Caldas and Huila. In the east of the country cases have been confirmed in the regions of Boyaca and Santander. There are more reported cases in Orinoco, Arauca, Casanare and Vichada.
On the islands of San Andres and Providencia, five people have been confirmed with the virus. In addition, the health officials reported 11 imported cases in Antioquia, Barranquilla, Bogota, Norte de Santander and Valle del Cauca.
According to Blu Radio, despite the outbreak in the different regions the government maintains that it has managed to contain the initial spread of the virus, which has such a high impact since two months ago when the first case appeared in the country.
MORE: First case of Chikungunya virus reported in Colombia
The National Institute of Health revealed that so far there have been three reported deaths in the Bolivar Department to possible instances of chikungunya. Apparently these people also showed a different disease complicating the chikungunya virus which could have been the cause of their deaths.
MORE: Colombia on verge of Chikungunya outbreak