The mosquito-borne Chikungunya virus has made its way into the Western Hemisphere, appearing in the Caribbean island of St. Martin.

According to NBC South Florida, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a travel advisory after ten cases were confirmed on the island. Chikungunya originated in Africa, then appeared in Europe, Asia and the Pacific, but this is the first instance in the Western Hemisphere.

"Microbes know no boundaries, and the appearance of Chikungunya virus in the Western hemisphere represents another threat to health security," CDC director Tom Frieden said in a statement.

The mosquitos spreading the new disease are the same ones that were known to carry the Dengue virus, which are found throughout the Caribbean. The CDC advised travelers to use insect repellant, wear long sleeves and pants, use air conditioning to keep cool and use screens when opening windows and doors.

CDC experts have predicted and prepared for its arrival for several years and there are surveillance systems in place to help us track it," Frieden said. "To protect Americans, we have to support and maintain capacity to detect and respond to the emergence of new viruses."

According to CBS Miami, Chikungunya can be debilitating and causes vomiting, muscle pain, joint pain, fever, rash and fatigue. The World Health Organization said patients who come down with it often make a full recovery, but the joint and muscle pain can persist for years to come.

The CDC has reportedly been awaiting the arrival of the virus and has been placing surveillance systems in place for several years. The agency will use these systems to track the progress of the disease as it continues to spread closer to the U.S.

A travel advisory is not a ban or even a suggestion to abstain from visiting; rather a warning for anyone with plans to go to St. Martin. Chikungunya is rarely life threatening and can be prevented.