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Revision as of 03:27, 9 February 2006 by 24.223.157.64 (talk) (→External links)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff) Medical condition| Chikungunya | |
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| Specialty | Infectious diseases  |
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Chikungunya is a relatively rare form of viral fever caused by an alphavirus that is spread by mosquito bites from the Aedes aegypti mosquito. The name is derived from the Swahili word meaning "that which bends up" in reference to the stooped posture developed as a result of the arthritic symptoms of the disease.
This disease was first described in Tanzania, Africa in 1952. An outbreak of Chikungunya was discovered in Port Klang in Malaysia in 1999 affecting 27 people .
A serological test for Chikungunya is available from the University of Malaya in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
It is closely related to O'nyong'nyong virus. (PMID 15891138)
In February 2005, an outbreak was recorded on the French island of Réunion in the Indian Ocean. As of February 8, 2006, 70,000 residents have been hit by the virus (out of a population of about 777,000). France initiated a massive effort to eradicate mosquitos nesting grounds involving over 3600 people, including 500 troops.
In neighboring Mauritius, 3,500 islanders have been hit in 2005.
Symptoms
The symptoms of this disease include fever which can reach 39 °C, a rash typically described as petechial or maculopapular usually involving the limbs and trunk, and arthralgia or arthritis affecting multiple joints which can be debilitating in severity. There can also be headache, conjunctival injection and slight photophobia.
Treatment
There is no specific treatment for Chikungunya. The illness is usually self-limiting and will resolve with time. Symptomatic treatment is recommended after excluding other more dangerous diseases. Paracetamol and Aspirin are prescribed to alleviate the pains associated with the fever. There is no vaccine available to date.
External links
- Good article on Chikungunya
- Chikungunya fever epidemic in Reunion Island (FR)
- [http://www.lemonde.fr/web/article/0,1-0@2-3224,36-739334@51-734919,0.html Chikungunya - article in Le Monde (FR)