Chikungunya: A Giant Outbreak
We heard very often about Chikungunya in recent past. What is Chikungunya? Which virus causes it? What are the symptoms of Chikungunya? Is there any treatment for Chikungunya? Chikungunya is a form of viral fever caused by an alphavirus that is spread by mosquito bites from Aedis aegypti mosquito. CHIKV( Chikungunya virus) is a member of the genus Alphavirus, in the family Togaviridae. ‘Chikungunya’ means ‘that which bends up’ in swahili.
First Isolation of Chikungunya:
Chikungunya virus is first isolated from the blood of a febrile patient in Tanzania in 1953. Since then it is identified in Central, West, Southern African countries and in many Asian countries. It also been cited in numerous epidemics in above areas. Aedis aegypti mosquitoes and monkeys transmitts chikungunya virus to human beings.
Symptoms of Chikungunya:
Chikungunya infection can cause a debilitating illness, which is often characterized by fever, headache, nausea, fatigue, vomiting, muscle pain and joint pain.
Incubation Period of Chikungunya Virus:
Incubation period means the time the virus takes to cause illness since the infection. Incase of Chikungunya incubation period can be 2-12 days but often it takes 3-7 days. Latent chikungunya infections are also reported which cause infection without illness.
Treatment of Chikungunya:
Chikungunya fever outbreaks very widely and rapidly because no vaccine or specific antiviral treatment is available. Symptomatic treatment is given with the help of Ibuprofen, Naproxen, Acataminophen or Paracetamol which may relieve symptoms of fever and aching. However, consult a physician before taking any medication.
No vaccine or preventive drug is there for Chikungunya infection. The best way to protect ourselves from Chikungunya infection is preventing mosquito bites. So, keep your environment clean and free of mosquitoes so that there is no chance for Chikungunya to set in.
