Chikungunya Dutch Side/French Side

I have read the CDC advisory about Chikungunya, which is essentially for the entire Caribbean region, but I recognize it was first diagnosed in St. Martin in 2013. What seems odd is how there are so many more cases on the French side vs Dutch side. Have those infected on the French side been in a particular area on the French side? I also read (I think in the Daily Herald) that the epidemic is past it's peak in the Dutch Caribbean, does anyone know if it's past it's peak on the French side too?

http://www.thedailyherald.com/index.php?...s&Itemid=54

The data could also reflect that the French Side has the capability/system to test more regularly for Chikungunya than does the Dutch Side.

I know several residents on the island over the past few years who have had more than one Dengue-like illness in a short period of time. While not impossible that both were Dengue subtypes, it is more likely that they also had Chikungunya before anyone was looking for it. It has probably been on St. Maarten longer than the documented cases show, and likely will be in the Caribean region for a while.

Obviously, mosquitoes do not know anything about following boundaries. I believe the explanation in large part for the discrepancy is that many or most people have gone to the French side for testing. I am not at all sure whether this is because the equipment is thought better on the French side, less costs, or what the explanation is, but I think the explanation has to do with the fact that it is not a confirmed case unless there are test results and most people are going to the french side for the test.

The epidemic is past its peak for SXM as a whole yes, but there will continue to be issues with it so long as there are mosquitoes.

Carol, your explanation makes a lot of sense. I didn't think of that.

We have been here for four weeks and have not experienced more than a few minutes of rain. That is bad for the golf course-the greens are like cement- but good for the lack of mosquitoes.