Chikungunya fever emerging: Know the facts
Chikungunya is a viral fever spread by mosquitoes. The disease was first reported in Bangladesh on December 2008. The disease manifests some clinical signs as of dengue, and can be misdiagnosed in areas where dengue is common. Chikungunya is characterised by an abrupt onset of fever frequently accompanied by joint pain which is the prominent feature. Other common signs and symptoms include muscle pain, headache, nausea, fatigue and rash. The joint pain is often very debilitating, but usually ends within a few days or weeks. Most patients recover fully, but in some cases joint pain may persist for several months, or even years. The disease caused by Chikungunya virus that is transmitted from human to human by the bites of infected female mosquitoes — Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, two species which can also transmit dengue. The disease is self-limiting and any fatal complication is unusual. There is no specific treatment for chikungunya. Supportive therapy those help ease symptoms, such as administration of Paracetamol, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and getting plenty of rest, may be beneficial. There is no commercial Chikungunya vaccine available. Prevention and control depends greatly on reducing the number of natural and artificial water-filled container habitats that support breeding of the mosquitoes. For protection during an outbreak of Chikungunya, clothing which minimises skin exposure to the day-biting vectors is advised. For those who sleep during the daytime, particularly young children, sick or older people, insecticide-treated mosquito nets afford good protection. Mosquito coils or other insecticide vaporisers may also reduce indoor biting.
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