Chikungunya fever is an emerging, mosquito-borne disease caused by the Chikungunya virus and transmitted by Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus mosquitoes. It causes large epidemics with high morbidity. Symptoms include fever, joint pain, rash and conjunctivitis. While there is no antiviral treatment, prevention focuses on controlling the mosquito vectors through reducing their habitats and limiting exposure to bites.

1. Chikungunya
fever

2. Introduction
 Chikungunya fever (CHIK) is an
emerging, mosquito-borne disease
caused by an alphavirus, Chikungunya
virus (CHIKV).
 The disease is transmitted
predominantly by Aedes aegypti and
Ae. Albopictus mosquitoes, the same
species involved in the transmission of
dengue

3.  Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) has been causing large epidemics of
chikungunya fever (CHIK), with considerable morbidity and
suffering.
 CHIKV is an RNA virus that belongs to the Alphavirus genus in the
family Togaviridae.
 The name chikungunya means “that which bends,” describing the
stooped appearance of persons suffering with the characteristic
painful arthralgia.

4.  Vectors: Aedes aegypti and Ae. Albopictus
 Reservoirs:
 Humans serve as the primary CHIKV reservoir during epidemic periods.
 Inter-epidemic periods: non-human primates, rodents, birds, and some
small mammals.
 Incubation Periods:
 Average extrinsic incubation of 10 days
 Disease symptoms typically occur after an average intrinsic incubation
period of threeto- seven days (range: 1−12 days)

5. Susceptibility and Immunity
 All individuals not previously infected with CHIKV (naïve
individuals) are at risk of acquiring infection and developing
disease.
 It is believed that once exposed to CHIKV, individuals will develop
long lasting immunity that will protect them against reinfection.

6. Clinical features
 Fever
 Polyarthralgias
 Headache
 Myalgias
 Back pain
 Nausea
 Vomiting
 Rash
 Polyarthritis
 Conjunctivitis

8. Lab investigations
 Virus isolation,
 Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), an
 Serology (immunoglobulin M [IgM] and G [IgG])

9. Treatment
 Acute Disease
 No specific antiviral drug treatment
 Symptomatic treatment
 Plenty of fluids
 Subacute and Chronic Disease
 Pain management
 Long-term anti-inflammatory therapy
 Chloroquine phosphate (treating joint symptoms)
 Short-term corticosteroids (Arthritis)
 Movement and mild exercise

10. Prevention
 Vector prevention