Chikungunya Virus(CHIKV)

Chikungunya

CHIKV is a ribonucleic acid virus that belongs to the Alphavirus+ genus

Chikungunya virus is a small (about 60–70 nm-diameter), spherical, enveloped, positive-strand RNA virus

The virus has been introduced into at least 19 countries by travelers returning from affected areas.

+

Chikungunya (cont’)

The name chikungunya roughly means “that which bends”, describing the curved posture of patients suffering with the characteristic severe joint pain.

Humans are the primary host of Chikungunya virus

It is a debilitating, but non-fatal viral illness

Chikungunya must be distinguished from Dengue

Transmission

Rarely,

From mother to child

Through infected blood

It is transmitted to humans by the bite of infected mosquitoes such as Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus.

Incubation

Mosquitoes acquire the virus from a viremic host. Following an average of ten days of incubation time, the mosquito is then able to transmit the virus.

In humans bitten by an infected mosquito, disease symptoms typically occur after an average period of three-to-seven days of incubation time (range 1-12 days)

Symptoms

CHIKV can cause acute, subacute, and chronic disease.

Acute symptoms (last for three to 10 days)

Sudden onset of high fever (102 F)

Swelling and joint effusion in knees

Rash

Symptoms (cont’)

Subacute and chronic symptoms (end of acute stage )

Swollen hands

Hyperpigmentation

Elbow Hygroma

Treatment

There is not specific antiviral drug treatment for CHIKV. However, symptomatic treatment is recommended and available.

Treatment for acute symptoms

Use ibuprofen, acetaminophen to relieve fever

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent to relieve the arthritic component of the disease.

Plenty of water and rest to replenish fluid lost from sweating, vomiting.

Treatment for subacute and chronic symptoms

Long-term anti-inflammatory therapy for persistent joint pain

Graduated physiotherapy for prolonged joint stiffness

PreventionReducing the risk of CHIKV

Personal protection

Use of repellents on skin and clothing

Use of bednets

Household prevention

Use of intact screens on windows and doors

Mosquito proofing water storage

Use of commercially available repellent aerosol spray

aerosol sprays

Neighborhood and community prevention

Use of effective strategies to reduce the densities of vector mosquitoes

Clean communities (trash clean-up, control of water storage, etc)

References

Togaviridae. (n.d.) The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary. (2007). Retrievedfrom http://medicaldictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Togaviridae

WHO. (2015). Chikungunya. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs327/en/

Pan American Health Organization. (2011). Preparedness and Response for Chikungunya Virus: Introduction in the Americas. Retrieved from: http://www.paho.org/hq/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8303&Itemid=40023&lang=en

Thank you!