Chikungunya 

Chikungunya is a viral disease transmitted to humans by the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquito.

The symptoms can be mistaken for those of dengue fever and Zika fever.

Generally transmitted from mosquitoes to humans, Chikungunya is sometimes passed from mother to child during pregnancy or at birth. However, during outbreaks, the virus can circulate from humans to mosquitoes and back to humans.

Mosquito Diseases

  

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Symptoms

During the usual 3-7 days incubation period, characteristic symptoms appear, including sudden high fever, joint pain, rash, headaches, fatigue, digestive complaints and conjunctivitis (pink eye). 

Severe joint pain or stiffness appears after the fever and lasts several weeks or months, sometimes years. This pain can result in near immobility of the affected joints.

Rarely, neurological disorders have been reported, including Guillian Barré syndrome, palsies, meningoencephalitis, flaccid paralysis and neuropathy.

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Prevention & Treatment

Best Prevention is to use a 50% DEET product to avoid mosquito bites complemented by mosquito nets.

As there is no vaccine or specific medication for chikungunya, supportive care is recommended in addition to the symptomatic treatment of fever and pain.

If you suspect you have chikungunya, seek immediate medical treatment and mention that you have travelled to a chikungunya virus zone.

 

Areas of risks

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