Rain Exacerbates the Problem
Early onset of monsoon rains in May this year created ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes, leading to a surge in vector-borne diseases. The situation is similarly worsening in China, with 7,000 chikungunya cases reported since the end of June. The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned of the rapidly spreading disease in South Asia.
What is Chikungunya?
Chikungunya is a viral infection caused by the chikungunya virus. It is transmitted by the female Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, the same mosquitoes that spread dengue and Zika viruses. These mosquitoes bite during the day, with Aedes aegypti being active both indoors and outdoors. While fatalities are rare, the illness can be severe in the elderly, young children, and those with pre-existing conditions.
Symptoms and Duration
The hallmark symptoms include a sudden high fever accompanied by severe joint pain. Other symptoms may include muscle pain, headache, fatigue, nausea, and a red rash, which are also common in dengue and malaria. While the fever may subside within a week, joint pain can persist for up to three months. The similarity of symptoms with other illnesses during this season necessitates consulting a doctor instead of self-medicating.
Treatment and Vaccine
There is no specific antiviral treatment for chikungunya. Treatment focuses on managing fever and pain with paracetamol, adequate hydration, and rest. While a vaccine has been approved, it is not yet readily available to the general public.
Seasonal Disease
Chikungunya outbreaks typically occur every 4–8 years, or sometimes after a gap of 20 years. Most outbreaks follow the rainy season when mosquito populations are at their highest. Prevention
Aedes mosquitoes breed in clean water, particularly in urban areas. Therefore, it is crucial to eliminate stagnant water. Since these mosquitoes bite during the day, protective measures such as wearing long sleeves and trousers, covering legs, and using mosquito nets when outdoors are recommended. As these mosquitoes do not fly long distances, the disease typically spreads within the immediate vicinity of breeding sites.
