EU Disease Agency says there is ‘no evidence’ three tourists caught chikungunya on Costa Blanca

THE EU’S Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has said ‘no evidence’ was found showing three Icelandic tourists contracted chikungunya while holidaying on the Costa Blanca.

A spokesperson for the ECDC said tests following reports the tourists had contracted the virus showed their illness was not caused by chikungunya.

It comes as the Icelandic Directorate of Health confirmed that initial tests had shown signs the tourists had the illness but further examinations could not confirm the findings.

A report issued by the ECDC said: “There is no evidence that the reported cases are the chikungunya virus disease.”

It follows media reports which said the Icelandic holidaymakers, including a 37-year-old woman and a five-year-old child, contracted the virus while staying in Alicante Province.

The ECDC added it did not issue advice to travellers after reports interpreted a regular assessment of disease risks as information for holidaymakers.