The chikungunia virus (chikungunya) causes a tropical disease called qigongunia fever, which manifests itself among others in inflammation of the bones, joints and muscles. It usually disappears within a week of onset, but in some people it becomes chronic. Then the patient, even for years, can struggle with very severe pain in joints and muscles. How can you get infected with the virus? What are the other symptoms of the infection? How is the treatment going?

Chikungunia( chikungunya ) virus that causes hemorrhagic fever of the same name is the Chikungunya arbowirus (alphavirus from the familyTogaviridae ). Chikungunya is found in Southeast Asia, the Indian Subcontinent and Sub-Saharan Africa. It was first described in Tanzania in 1952. The last mass cases due to this virus were recorded in 2006 in the Indian Ocean islands (Madagascar, Réunion, Mauritius, Seychelles, Mayotte, Comoros, Maldives) and coastal areas of India and Malaysia. A year later, the first cases of the disease were recorded in Europe - in Rimini, Italy. Then, in 2010, several cases of the disease were also found in Spain.

The virus also affected both Americas. In December 2013, single cases of infection were reported in South America, but the virus spread quickly and there were over 700 in early January 2014. In January 2015, the Pan American He alth Organization (PAHO) reported that over 1.1 had already been reported across Latin America. million cases of infection. In North America, there are currently over 2.3 thousand infected with the virus. Americans and at least 87 Canadians.

How has the virus spread almost all over the world? Thanks to mosquitoes that got to other continents in used car tires, transported from Africa. Water could have trapped in the cavities in the tires, so the mosquitoes had the conditions to reproduce. In addition, mosquitoes may have been hidden in pots of imported tropical plants.

Chikungunya virus - how do you get infected?

Infection can occur as a result of being bitten by one type of mosquito -Aedes albopictus mosquito , i.e. a tiger mosquito. The virus can also enter the body as a result of contact with an infected animal, e.g.a monkey.

Chikungunya fever - symptoms

The first symptoms of infection are similar to the flu - they appear:

  • acute fever
  • headaches
  • muscle and joint pain
  • blotchy or petechial rash on the skin of the body and limbs
  • itchy skin

Symptoms of the disease appear about 2-5 days after the mosquito bite

The fever usually lasts for several days. The virus can then spread to muscles, large joints (knees, ankles, wrists) and bones, often causing extreme pain. It may last for weeks, months or even years (in 12% of patients it may last 3-5 years).

Chikungunya fever - treatment

Only symptomatic treatment is possible - painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs are used (however, acetylsalicylic acid is contraindicated).

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Qigungunia virus - how to prevent infection?

There is no vaccine to protect against the qigungunia virus, so the only way to prevent infection is to avoid mosquito bites, especially in Africa. It is recommended to use repellants, mosquito nets, nets in the windows of rooms, properly worn clothes (long sleeves and legs).

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Category:

Infectious diseases