Key facts about Chikungunya

Sept. 30, 2024

The chikungunya outbreak in Pune and nearby regions has been traced to the Indian Ocean lineage of the virus, according to scientists at the National Institute of Virology (NIV).

About Chikungunya:

  • It is a viral diseasetransmitted to humans through the bites of mosquitoes infected with the chikungunya virus.
  • The word comes from the African Makonde language and means "bent over in pain." 
  • Transmission:
    • It is most commonly transmitted by mosquitoes, Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti and Aedes (Stegomyia) albopictus, which can also transmit dengue and Zika viruses.
    • It is not spread from person to person. 
  • It was first described during an outbreak in southern Tanzania in 1952 and has now been identified in nearly 40 countries in Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas.
  • Symptoms:
    • Symptoms usually begin 4 to 8 days after a mosquito bite but can appear anywhere from 2 to 12 days.
    • The most common symptom is an abrupt onset of fever, often accompanied by joint pain
    • Other symptoms include muscle pain, headache, nausea, fatigue, and rash. 
    • Serious complications are uncommon, but atypical severe cases can cause long-term symptoms and even death, especially in older people.
  • Treatment:
    • There is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatmentfor chikungunya virus infections.
    • The goal of treatment for the infection is to relieve symptoms with rest, fluids and drugs.

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