In case you didn't know about it, there is an outbreak of Chikungunya in Mauritius. It caused problems during this same period of time, last year and caught the eye of many people but now it's back. And it's creating panic to a certain extent, not just here in Mauritius but also in Reunion Island (20% of the population caught the disease last year), the Seychelles, Madagascar, Comoros, Mayotte and even in the southern parts of India.
Aedes Aegypti
Chikungunya, which means “that which bends up” in Swahili was first described in Tanzania in 1952. It is caused by a virus and is transmitted by the Aedes Aegypti mosquito – recognisable by its distinct white patches. The Chikungunya virus is transmitted by vector propagation. It should be noted that human transition is not possible and a person who is infected with the virus is not contagious.
The symptoms of the disease usually appear after 4 to 7 days after having been bitten by the Aedes Aegypti. It's only then that the frightening things happen. High fever that can go up to 39oC is achieved and some skin rashes appear on the skin. Afterwards, the infected person suffers from muscular and joints pain. In acute cases, the patient finds himself in the incapability to walk or even talk. Although death follows in extreme cases only, some 150 people succumbed to the disease in Reunion Island according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Unfortunately there exists no treatment for Chikungunya yet. There are no vaccines nor any treatments but only painkillers and some Paracetamol for the fever. In order to prevent the propagation of the virus, it is thus logical to prevent proliferation of its vector: Aedes Aegypti mosquito.
Photo courtesy: Univers Nature
Update: This blog entry makes my latest column for Not Scientific Science at backwash.
Hi!
i am from a small village in maharastra, india. there has been an epidemic of chickun gunya in our area. most patients recoverd but a few still have arthritis,arthalgia, malaise, etc. is it a self limiting disease or can lead to chronic debility? what is the treatment for arthritis? is it self limiting or has chronic sequelae? can it b controlled/cured/
Hi:
If a person is infected with ChickenGunya and cured, is the virus still active in the person? That is what is the time period after which the virus stops spreading from a person to person through mosquitos.
Thanks,
Raj.
Hello there – Well this about Chikungunya is that it is caused by a virus. However once, you’re cured, then it means that the virus is no longer in your system, as simple as that. However, one does not become immune to the virus and it may well infect the same person again in the future.
There is an epidemic of Chikungunya in Andhra Pradesh, India. Lot of patients are affected, upto 40% of population in some areas including children, adults and the elderly.
While benign in the children, the infection is causing longstanding disability in adults and esp in the elderly.
I want to know the life cycle of Aedes egypti. Any way to control the deadly vector? And does any other vector transmit Chikungunya?
Re arthritis in Chikungunya patients: Will a blood test show abnormally high (some 300% higher) RA (rheumatoid arthritis) factor in a person suffering from the disease? Wish somebody would clear my doubt.
Folks -
…I have lived in Mauritius for the last 2 months, killed hundreds of mosquitoes, spoke at length to the “Association des Hoteliers et Restauranteurs – Ile Maurice” about the “Action” Plan that the Singapore Public Health Team has ‘perscribed’ here for education and clean-up of garbage. Only ONE thing is lacking : ACTION ! Nothing but nuthin’ has been done by the Ministry. Yet today I have been told [again] that the “reason” that ‘chik’ is here is, are you ready, the INFECTED TOURISTS. I will again ‘advise’ the Big Boys here that soon their ‘problem’ of “Infected” tourists will be solved. Soon. Very soon.
there is an epidemic of CHIK in AP right now.Steroids as a treatment for the arthritis is being extensively used .will some one help me in clearing lmy doubts regarding the use of corticosteroids in CHIK>
Khalil A. Says:
July 21st, 2006 at 9:27 am
Hello there – Well this about Chikungunya is that it is caused by a virus. However once, you’re cured, then it means that the virus is no longer in your system, as simple as that. However, one does not become immune to the virus and it may well infect the same person again in the future.
CHIKV infection (whether clinical or silent) is thought to confer life-long immunity
Source:The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), USA.
Dear Dr.
I am a Space Physics PhD student.
Kindly tell me that will a patient infected by Chikungunya show a increased RA factor 200-300% during the term of desease(1-15 days).
If yes then how to differentiate between the symptoms of R. Arthritis (RA) and Chikungunya.
Reply soon
Hey N.
Well, let me first tell you than I’m definetely not an expert on the matter. However if you want more info about the topic, you might want to check Tara C. Smith. She is an Assistant Professor in Epidemiology and I’m sure she’ll be more than likely to help you out with any questions.
You can find some homeopathic medicines and home remedies for chikungunya listed at http://ailments.in/chikungunya.html
This is a very informative blog about The Chikungunya Virus. The Chikungunya Virus it is a very lethal treat for most people in the world. Thanks for all the information.
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Dear prabhakar and dashora,
Chikungunya arthritis can lead to reactive arthritis mimicking rhematoid arthritis.there is a report from Platoria decribing arhtritis following chikungunay with low Rheumatoid titres.Chloroquine phosphate or hydroxychloroquine 200mg for 6-12 weeks is the drug of choice and response to therapy is too rapid unlike Rheumatoid arthritis where it takes a minimum of 8weeks.I have treated 3 such cases and response to treatment was seen in just 2 days.Although steroids also produce dramatic improvement, its use could be risky in early chikungunya when the patient may have haemorrhagic gastririts and several deaths hve occured due to indescriminate use of NDSAIDS And steroids
Prabha
I was infected with Chikungunya last November. Still I am unable to walk as I have a severe pain in mi joints. I have consulted experts inorder to find a solution but up to now faild. I am 27 old but now live like a 70 year old witout being able to move about. Tests done have faild to show any indication up to now but the pain and skin rashes apear from time to time. Rashes (Itchy) espeasially on figer tip area and redish isolated individual blisters apear in other areas. The pian is mostly in the legs below the knees. How ever if excercised or rest is broken pain moves to any other joint in the body. Hope somebody will find a cure soon.
I would like to know wether there are incidences of chikungunya which has ultimately led to the development of auto immune diseases
I had Chikungunya 10 months ago. Now I am suffering from severe joint pain. When bent the joints make a alrming crushing sound. A burning like pain associated with bones closer to muscles persist and moves from place to place whe treated. When the pain reaches intestines constipation takes place. Some times passing urine becomes slightly difficult. Rash is common. There is a slight humming heard inside the head throughout. Tests do not reveal anything.
I had Chikengunea 1 year ago. I have most of the symptoms described. IT SEEMS LIKE there is something like a residue left behind by the Chikungunea virus which is traped in the body degenerating bones and joints. The body identifies the left behind residue as an alien substance and fights to throw out in all possible ways continuouesly resulting in rash, frequent need to pass bowels etc. The doctors prescribe medicine for allergy when mis-identified. The cause lies some where else. The urine samples show calsifiaction sometimes resulting in blocking urine passages in males.
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i m msc(medicine medical laboratory technology)student,studying in anand…
i m mdoing dessertation on chikengunia arthritis….
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Is it possible to be misdiagnosed with lyme Disease
I have been amazed at what this disease represents its exactly what I have been going through
I also have little tiny blisters around my wrist I tear them off sometimes with my fingernail but they came back
how does steroids help in re leaving arthalgia caused by chickengunya?
As Kolkata W.B. India faces fresh cases of Chikungunia in Oct 2008 can we activate this site for exchange of ideas/ updates.
Since these days doctors depend on Pathological reports
Can U all fwd what u mean by following 3?
A. Chikungunia Antigen – POSITIVE.
B. Chikungunia IgM – POSITIVE
C. Chikungunia IgG – POSITIVE
In an individual took test on 3rd day of fever with/ without joint pain but definitely no rash.