Chikungunya is a virus. Outbreaks have occurred in countries in Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and the Caribbean, Indian, and Pacific Oceans. In southern Tanzania, the illness was initially identified in 1952 during an outbreak. The term "chikungunya" is derived from a verb that means "to become deformed" in the Kimakonde language of southern Tanzania and refers to the hunched posture of people experiencing joint discomfort (arthralgia).
What causes chikungunya disease?
It is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito that resembles dengue illness. Aedes mosquitoes are the primary vectors of the Chikungunya virus.
Is the disease contagious?
The Chikungunya virus is not contagious (it cannot be spread directly from person to person).
What are the symptoms of chikungunya?
Illness from Chikungunya virus infection is characterized by the onset of signs and symptoms 3-7 days after being bitten by the mosquito which are:
As we said before dengue and chikungunya resemble each other in many ways but speaking about fever chikungunya characterized by shorter period.
Who is at risk of this disease?
Newborns infected at the time of delivery, elderly persons (>65), and people with medical disorders including high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart disease is among those who are at risk for more severe disease.
How can we diagnose chikungunya?
A viral culture may identify the virus in the first three days of sickness; however chikungunya virus management should be done under BSL-3 conditions. Serum samples frequently contain chikungunya viral RNA during the first 8 days of illness.
Antibodies to the chikungunya virus typically start to appear at the end of the first week of sickness. Therefore, samples from patients whose acute-phase samples test negative should be taken to conclusively rule out the diagnosis.
Is there any treatment for such a disease?
There isn't a specific antiviral medication for chikungunya, although several therapeutic approaches are being investigated into. Rest, water, as well as the use of analgesics, and antipyretics, can be used as treatments for symptoms.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications can be used to treat acute pain and fever.
During the first week of the illness, individuals with chikungunya should be shielded from additional mosquito exposure to lower the risk of local transmission.
How can we prevent chikungunya?
Even though several are undergoing Phase III clinical studies, no chikungunya vaccines have been approved for use in people yet. Chikungunya virus illness prevention in the absence of a vaccine depends on personal preventive measures to avoid exposure to infected mosquitoes and community-level mosquito control efforts to lower vector densities:
- Dispose of mosquito breeding grounds (emptying containers where water is left standing, for example).
- Use insect repellents properly.
- Dress in protective clothing, such as long sleeves and long pants.
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