It might be carrying chikungunya.
If you can identify a mosquito that’s carrying the chikungunya virus, trap it and deliver the specimen to health authorities in Chihuahua, it’s worth 5,000 pesos.
Health Secretary Pedro Hernández Flores announced the compensation during a press conference called to provide information about the virus and its prevention.
Although no cases have been reported in the state, the mosquito that carries dengue also carries chikungunya, and it has been reported in parts of the Sierra Tarahumara.
One of the most important strategies for its prevention also applies to dengue: keep the home and yard free of standing water. Others are to cover up and use a repellent.
So far federal health authorities have identified 14 cases of chikungunya in Mexico, all in the state of Chiapas. The virus had not been seen in Latin America until December of last year, but since then more than 16,000 people have contracted it.
It isn’t fatal but can be very painful and there is no known treatment or vaccine. Symptoms can include headache, fever, fatigue, joint pain and dizziness. One significant difference between it and dengue in terms of symptoms is the severe joint pain it brings, said the Chihuahua Health Secretary.
The virus used to be confined to Africa, Asia, Europe and the Indian and Pacific oceans, but spread to the Americas last year, surfacing on the Caribbean island of St. Martin.
The mosquitoes that carry chikungunya are known as “day-biters,” for being most active during daylight hours.
As to identifying one, Chihuahua’s health officials offered no advice. Anyone who wants to try to cash in on the 5,000 pesos will have to trap a bunch of mosquitoes and hope for the best.
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