What is Chikungunya

[AfriMan]

From Dr Richard Dawood, ATTA Medical Advisor

Tour operators should note that this article will be published in the Daily Telegraph tomorrow Saturday 11th March

What is Chikungunya, and how is it spread?

- An extremely unpleasant but non-fatal viral infection, previously confined to parts of Africa, that is now in the process of establishing itself in the islands of the Indian Ocean. It belongs to a group of viruses called “arboviruses” – arthropod-borne viruses – and is spread by bites from Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.

What are its symptoms?

- Fluctuating fever, occurring perhaps 3-4 days after an infective mosquito bite, illness and rash. Joint pain is a characteristic feature, which accounts for its name – in Swahili, “chikungunya” means “doubled up”. Its symptoms can be hard to distinguish from those of dengue fever, a viral infection spread by the same type of mosquito, and currently also causing problems in the region.

Should travellers be worried?

- Yes, it is a concern, but arbovirus infections like dengue have always been present in the region to a greater or lesser degree, and most travellers go anyway without necessarily being aware of the problem. Travellers to the region will now have to get used to the notion that anti-insect measure are important not just for comfort, but for health.

Is it safe to travel to the region?

- A special problem with arbovirus outbreaks is that a fall in the number of cases can mean that most local people have become immune, but not necessarily that that the outbreak has reached an end. Check the World Health Organisation website (www.who.int) for latest news on the situation: they have not so far advised against travel. Meanwhile, local health authorities are making a major effort to curb transmission by exterminating mosquitoes, and the precautions listed below will considerably reduce personal risk.

What precautions should travellers take?

- Unlike malaria, chikungunya (and dengue fever) are spread by mosquitoes that bite all through the day. The key precautions are: covering up, especially when mosquitoes are about; using plenty of mosquito repellent on clothing and exposed skin; and using an electric plug-in mosquito killer in your hotel room. Travellers who follow these precautions with reasonable care can expect to cut the numbers of mosquito bites – and reduce their risk of illness – by up to 90 per cent.

Dr Richard Dawood
Fleet Street Clinic
29 Fleet Street
London EC4Y 1AA
Tel: +44 (0)20 7353 5678
Fax: +44 (0)20 7353 5500

www.fleetstreetclinic.com -

[omsaane]

Statistics have it that Mosquitoes cause more human deaths per year than any other animals/insects. Good for nothing bastards. Their existance is just seriously unnecessary.

[AfriMan]

One of the things that has been irritating me for a very long time now is why are there Mosquitoes in the first place.

Where in the food chain are they placed, i.e. what animal or insect actually relies on Mosquitoes for a living (e.g. without Mosquitoes a gap would be left in the food chain that would impact species above and below them)

I ask you????? does anybody know why they are on earth other than to make us itch and gives us unholy diseases?

[ghostrider18]

Originally Posted by AfriMan

I ask you????? does anybody know why they are on earth other than to make us itch and gives us unholy diseases?

I often wondered the same thing...so I did a bit of online research and believe it or not, mosquitoes turn out to be very important!

"Mosquitoes are a food source for many plants and animals but they are the largest flower pollinator behind bees.
Without mosquitoes you wouldn't exist"

Courtesty of Yahoo answers

[girdhar]

Hi,
I am from India from maharashtra state ,Last year in (2007) I found many of the people were caught in this disease .Many of the superstitious persons refused to take medicines Indeed it was observed that cure was automatic and did not cause any death .
Is it really auto curable?

[safar_i]

thnx AfriMan, for your useful information.

[sugitha]

Chikungunya is very danger disease, it gives full body pain, joint pain etc.,