Chikungunya: Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chikungunya?
Chikungunya is a viral disease transmitted through mosquito bites. It is usually seen in tropical areas.
Source: www.chikungunya.in
Chikungunya is a form of viral fever caused by an Alphavirus that is spread by mosquito bites from Aedes mosquito. Chikungunya is derived from the African word meaning ‘that which bends up’ in reference to the stooped posture developed as a result of the arthritic symptoms of the disease.
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Is Chikungunya fatal?
Human immune system is capable of recovery from this disease in almost all cases. But it might take a while for the symptoms to disappear, especially the joint pains. But the outbreak at Reunion island is suspected to have caused 200 deaths. The risk is higher for older people.
Source: www.chikungunya.in
Is there any treatment for Chikungunya?
There are no vaccines or medicines for Chikungunya. Medication is done to reduce symptoms and pain.
Source: www.chikungunya.in
What are the symptoms of Chikungunya?
Main symptoms are high fever and joint pains. Joint pains can persist even long after recovery from the disease.
Source: www.chikungunya.in
Who is at risk for Chikungunya?
Anyone who is bitten by an infected mosquito can get Chikungunya.
Source: chikungunya-india.blogspot.com
Is there a vaccine for Chikungunya?
There is no vaccine currently available. How is Chikungunya transmitted? Is it transmissible from human to
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What is chikungunya fever?
Chikungunya fever is a viral disease transmitted to humans by the bite of infected mosquitoes. Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a member of the genus Alphavirus, in the family Togaviridae. CHIKV was first isolated from the blood of a febrile patient in Tanzania in 1953, and has since been identified repeatedly in west, central and southern Africa and many areas of Asia, and has been cited as the cause of numerous human epidemics in those areas since that time. ...
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How can I prevent Chikungunya infection?
Chikungunya is transmitted by mosquito. Taking various steps to minimize mosquito bite is the only effective prevention technique.
Source: www.chikungunya.in
Who can get infected with Chikungunya?
Anyone can get infected with Chikungunya virus. The virus infection can be serious in new borns and in old people.
Source: www.chikungunya.in
What is the impact of Chikungunya infection during pregnancy?
Pregnant woman can get Chikungunya infection at any stage of pregnancy. The chances of passing the infection to fetus is very less. If the pregnant woman is infected at the time of delivery, the virus can be transmitted to the new born child. If a new born is infected the risk is considerably higher. So it is important to ensure that in Chikungunya areas pregnant woman is protected from mosquito bite.
Source: www.chikungunya.in
What is the treatment of Chikungunya infection?
There is no specific treatment of Chikungunya infection and it is usually self-limiting. But analgesics, antipyretics like paracetamol, diclofenac sodium, chloroquine along with fluid supplementation are recommended to manage the infection and relieve fever, joint pains and swelling. Drugs like aspirin and steroids should be avoided.
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What are the signs and symptoms of Chikungunya?
One to three days of fever with joint pain usually with swelling, headache, vomiting, photophobia, with or without rashes.
Source: chikungunya-india.blogspot.com
How is chikungunya virus infection treated?
No vaccine or specific antiviral treatment for chikungunya fever is available. Treatment is symptomatic--rest, fluids, and ibuprofen, naproxen, acetaminophen, or paracetamol may relieve symptoms of fever and aching. Aspirin should be avoided Infected persons should be protected from further mosquito exposure (staying indoors and/or under a mosquito net during the first few days of illness) so that they can't contribute to the transmission cycle.
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What are the symptoms and implications of Chikungunya fever?
Chikungunya fever was first described in East Africa in the 1950’s. Today, the distribution area of the disease reaches from eastern and southern Africa over the Indian subcontinent and to Southeast Asia. Currently, the tiger mosquitoes and their close relatives, the Yellow fever mosquitoes, which are not yet found in Europe, are the only definite carriers of this virus that have been observed. Chikungunya is a word from the Tanzanian language that means “that which bends up” or “that which contorts”. ...
Source: www.mosquitaire.com
Is it ok to breast feed if the mother is infected with Chikungunya?
Currently there is no evidence that Chikungunya virus is transmitted through breast milk. Again the best defence for the child is to use mosquito nets and repellents to reduce the risk of mosquito bite. Next : Latest news and updates on Chikungunya Fever
Source: www.chikungunya.in
How can one prevent Chikungunya infection?
Since there is no vaccine or specific treatment, controlling Chikungunya transmission, i.e., elimination of Aedes mosquito breeding sites or source reduction in domestic and peri-domestic areas and taking personal protection measures to prevent mosquito bites prevents infection.
Source: chikungunya-india.blogspot.com
Will Chikungunya cause death?
Worldwide statistics clearly show that Chikungunya directly does not cause death. There may be deaths due to various other causes during Chikungunya outbreak.
Source: chikungunya-india.blogspot.com
Where does chikungunya virus occur?
The geographic range of the virus is Africa and Asia. For information on current outbreaks, consult CDC’s Travelers�Health website (www.cdc.gov/travel). Given the current large CHIKV epidemics and the world wide distribution of Aedes aegypti, there is a risk of importation of CHIKV into new areas by infected travelers.
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How do humans become infected with chikungunya virus?
CHIKV is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on a person infected with CHIKV. Monkeys, and possibly other wild animals, may also serve as reservoirs of the virus. Infected mosquitoes can then spread the virus to other humans when they bite. Aedes aegypti (the yellow fever mosquito), a household container breeder and aggressive daytime biter which is attracted to humans, is the primary vector of CHIKV to humans. ...
Source: www.faq4me.com
Can I get Chikungunya from another person?
Direct human to human transmission is not possible. The disease is transmitted from one person to another only through mosquito bites.
Source: www.chikungunya.in
Qu’appelle-t-on le Chikungunya ?
Le Chikungunya est une maladie due à un virus (arbovirus) transmis par les moustiques. Le nom de cette zoonose (maladie animale transmissible à l’homme) signifie en Souhaéli « marcher courbé », décrivant l’attitude des personnes atteintes par le virus. Les primates constituent le principal réservoir habituel du virus au même titre que le bétail domestique notamment. La maladie a été décrite principalement en Afrique, en Asie du sud-est, au sud de l’Inde et au Pakistan. ...
Source: chikungunya.ioceanindien.com
Le Chikungunya est une maladie due à un virus (arbovirus) transmis par les moustiques. Le nom de cette zoonose (maladie animale transmissible à l’homme) signifie en Souhaéli « marcher courbé », décrivant l’attitude des personnes atteintes par le virus. Les primates constituent le principal réservoir habituel du virus. La maladie a été décrite principalement en Afrique, en Asie du sud-est, en Inde, en Indonésie et au Pakistan. ...
Source: www.sante.gouv.fr
What can people do to prevent becoming infected with chikungunya virus?
The best way to avoid CHIKV infection is to prevent mosquito bites. There is no vaccine or preventive drug. Prevention tips are similar to those for dengue or West Nile virus: Use insect repellent containing an DEET or another EPA-registered active ingredient on exposed skin. Always follow the directions on the package. Wear long sleeves and pants (ideally treat clothes with permethrin or another repellent). Have secure screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out. ...
Source: www.faq4me.com
How are Chikungunya and Dengue fever transmitted from tiger mosquitoes?
The Chikungunya or Dengue virus will be transmitted to a tiger mosquito when that mosquito bites a person that is infected with that virus. The virus begins to proliferate in the mosquito. After roughly 10 days, the virus can be transmitted to a person that is bit by the infected mosquito. If the mosquito is killed within this time period then the disease cannot be passed on.
Source: www.mosquitaire.com
Which regions have already had Chikungunya and Dengue fever epidemics?
In the tropical and sub-tropical bands of the earth (Southeast Asia, Indian Subcontinent, Africa, Latin America, etc.) there are Chikungunya and Dengue fever epidemics every year with millions of people infected. Dengue epidemics result in thousands of fatalities annually and among them are notably small children. In 2007, Europe had its first outbreak of Chikungunya in Italy with over 200 people infected.
Source: www.mosquitaire.com
What do tiger mosquitoes have to do with diseases such as Chikungunya and Dengue fever?
Tiger mosquitoes can carry and transmit Chikungunya and Dengue fever. Because they are day active and often bite several people in a short period of time, they can be very dangerous vectors of disease.
Source: www.mosquitaire.com
Can I vaccinate myself against Chikungunya or Dengue fever?
No, there are still no vaccinations against Chikungunya or Dengue fever despite much research from health authorities and pharmaceutical companies.
Source: www.mosquitaire.com
Existe-t-il un traitement spécifique du Chikungunya ?
Il n’existe pas de thérapeutique spécifique contre le Chikungunya. Le traitement est symptomatique et repose avant tout sur la prise d’antalgiques et anti-inflammatoires non stéroïdiens et le repos. Il est important de consulter un médecin en cas de signes évocateurs, d’une part pour éviter d’ignorer un autre diagnostic, d’autre part pour adapter le traitement, notamment en cas de pathologies associées et dans tous les cas pour les enfants.
Source: chikungunya.ioceanindien.com
Existe-il des tests de diagnostic rapide du Chikungunya ?
La confirmation biologique d’une infection à virus chikungunya s’effectue par analyse sérologique (recherche dans le sang d’anticorps spécifiques au virus), cet examen ne s’impose pas en zone épidémique, mais peut être utile pour faire un diagnostic différentiel. Les méthodes microbiologiques (isolement du virus, PCR) ne sont pas réalisées en routine et sont effectuées dans des laboratoires spécialisés .
Source: chikungunya.ioceanindien.com
