Chikungunya is a vector-borne viral disease which has been witnessed during an outbreak in 1952 in southern provinces of Tanzania. But it has spread to India, Southeast Asia and other parts of Africa. Because of how its name is pronounced (sounds like chickengunia), people often think this disease is caused by chickens. This is a strange myth revolving around Chikungunya. Chikungunya is mostly transmitted from one person to another by Aedes Albopictus mosquitoes. It is the same category of mosquitoes that spread Dengue and Zika Virus. As a disease, Chikungunya fever resembles very close to Dengue fever, which can be characterized by severe and mostly persistent joint pains (arthritis). This can also be accompanied by fever and rash. However, Chikungunya is not often life-threatening. However, Chikungunya causes joint pain, especially in older people, which can be very uncomfortable and can limit the mobility and movement. Arthritis brace for the knee can help with pain relief. For feet, heel and leg pain, compression socks can be worn. You can also wear arthritis gloves if you have pain in your wrist hands or fingers.
In India, a major epidemic of Chikungunya fever has been recorded during 1963 (Kolkata) closely followed by 1965 and 1973. The number of Chikungunya cases are on the rise since 2006. In the first 4 months of 2018, India had already seen 9000 cases of Chikungunya fever.
Currently, Chikungunya can be pointed as an example of emerging or re-emerging infectious diseases in developing countries. Chikungunya fever as suspected by public health specialists is mostly either misdiagnosed or go unreported.
In this article we talk about causes, symptoms of Chikungunya. We also discuss the precautions you can take to prevent Chikungunya.
Chikungunya is found to be caused by the chikungunya virus, which is classified in the genus Alphavirus and the family is Togaviridae. Aedes aegypti is the primary Aedes mosquito which is responsible for Chikungunya…Know More
Often symptoms of chikungunya in infected individuals are mild and the infection may go unrecognized, or be misdiagnosed in areas where dengue occurs… Know More
Prevention is the primary way to protect oneself from chikungunya. No vaccine for chikungunya virus is available, nor drugs are available to cure the infection… Know More
