Chikun Gunya

 Chikun gunya is a mosquito-borne viral disease that causes fever and severe joint pain. 

The disease was first recognized in 1952 during an outbreak in southern Tanzania -Isolated from human patients and Aedes aegypti mosquitoes

First reported in India in 1963, when it caused extensive outbreaks along with Dengue in Calcutta, Madras and other areas 

Chikun gunya virus- RNA virus that belongs to the alphavirus genus of the family Togaviridae.

 

The name “chikun gunya” derives from a native word of southern Tanzania, meaning “to become contorted/doubled up”- describes the stooped appearance of sufferers with joint pain (arthralgia).

Chikungunya is transmitted to humans by the bites of infected female mosquitoes- Aedes aegypti - can also transmit other mosquito-borne viruses, including dengue. 

They bite throughout daylight hours- especially, early morning and late afternoon. 

The disease occurs in Africa and Asia- 

Symptoms of chikungunya appear between 4 and 7 days after the patient has been bitten by the infected mosquito.

• Sudden onset of fever, crippling joint pains, lymphadenopathy, Conjunctivitis
• Fever is biphasic- period of remission after 1-6 days of fever.
• Maculopapular rash is common along with hemorrhagic manifestations
• Other common signs and symptoms include muscle pain, headache, nausea, fatigue and rash. The joint pain is often debilitating and usually lasts for a few days to a few weeks. 

Chikungunya is rarely fatal- Most symptoms are generally self-limiting and last for 2–3 days.

• Most patients recover fully, but in some cases joint pain may persist for several months or even years.
• Occasional cases of eye, nervous system and heart complications have been reported, as well as gastrointestinal complaints.
• Serious complications are not common- can cause death in older people.
• Often symptoms in infected individuals are mild and the infection may go unrecognized or be misdiagnosed in areas where dengue also occurs.

Treatment

• There is no specific antiviral drug treatment for chikungunya
• No commercial chikungunya vaccine.
• Treatment is directed primarily at relieving the symptoms, including joint pain
•  Anti-pyretic drugs to reduce fever, use of pain medication and administering fluids.

Prevention and control rely heavily on controlling mosquitoes

• No animal reservoir
• Reduce the number of water-filled habitats that allow mosquitoes to breed.
• During outbreaks, insecticides may be sprayed to kill flying mosquitoes; applied to surfaces in and around the above mentioned water-filled habitats where the mosquitoes land; and used to treat these habitats to kill the immature larvae. 
• For protection during outbreaks of chikungunya, clothing which minimizes skin exposure to day-biting mosquitoes is advised.
• Repellents can be applied to exposed skin or to clothing (according to product label instructions).
• Insecticide-treated mosquito nets afford good protection
• Mosquito coils or other insecticide vaporizers may also reduce indoor biting.