The Ministry of Health has recorded the first case of the mosquito-borne virus known as Chikungunya.
The ministry says the public must focus on efforts to reduce the risks of the virus circulating in the country following a lab confirmation of an imported case last week.
The virus disease evolved and has progressively circulated amongst neighboring Pacific island countries since last year.
The Ministry has been monitoring the Chikungunya situation in the region very closely with the World Health Organisation and Secretariat of the Pacific Community.
Chikungunya virus disease is caused by the Chikungunya virus (CHIKV).
The Dengue and Chikungunya viruses are spread by the same mosquito vector.
CHIKV is transmitted when a mosquito bites an infected individual and then discharges the virus in the bloodstream of an uninfected individual during its next blood feed.
