- What is chikungunya?
- A mosquito-borne viral infection caused by the chikungunya virus (CHIKV), an alphavirus in the Togaviridae family.
- Transmitted primarily by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes.
- Characterized by sudden onset of fever, severe joint pain, and rash.
- 2. What are the symptoms of chikungunya?
- Acute phase (first 3–7 days):
- High fever (>38.5°C)
- Severe joint pain (arthralgia), often in wrists, ankles, and fingers
- Muscle pain (myalgia)
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Nausea, vomiting
- Maculopapular rash
- 3. How is chikungunya diagnosed?
- Clinical diagnosis based on symptoms and travel history to endemic areas.
- Laboratory confirmation:
- Serology (IgM and IgG antibodies)
- RT-PCR for viral RNA in acute phase (first 5–7 days)
- Virus isolation (rarely used due to biosafety concerns)
- 4. What is the treatment for chikungunya?
- Supportive care:
- Hydration, rest, and pain management
- Avoid NSAIDs (risk of bleeding) and aspirin (Reye’s syndrome risk)
- Paracetamol (acetaminophen) for fever and pain
- 5. Is there a vaccine for chikungunya?
- No licensed vaccine currently, but several candidates in trials:
- MV-CHIK (measles-vectored) in phase 2 trials (Rationale: Sales et al., 2022)
- Inactivated and live-attenuated vaccines in development
- 6. How is chikungunya prevented?
- Mosquito vector control:
- Eliminate standing water
- Use insecticide-treated bed nets
- Wear protective clothing
- Use repellents (DEET, picaridin, IR3535)
- 7. Can chikungunya be transmitted from person to person?
- Rarely, via vertical transmission (mother to fetus) or blood transfusion (Rationale: Mehta et al., 2018)
- 8. What are the complications of chikungunya?
- Neurological: Encephalitis, myelitis, Guillain-Barré syndrome (Rationale: Mehta et al., 2018)
- Cardiac: Myocarditis, pericarditis
- Ocular: Conjunctivitis, uveitis
- Chronic arthritis (up to 60% of cases)
- 9. Who is at risk for severe chikungunya?
- Elderly, infants, and those with comorbidities (diabetes, hypertension, chronic arthritis)
- 10. How long does chikungunya last?
- Acute phase: 3–10 days
- Chronic phase (arthralgia): weeks to months (sometimes years)
- 11. Is chikungunya fatal?
- Rarely (<1% mortality), but higher in severe cases (neurological, cardiac complications)
- 12. Can chikungunya recur?
- Unlikely due to long-lasting immunity, but chronic symptoms may persist
- 13. What is the incubation period for chikungunya?
- 2–12 days (average 3–7 days)
- 14. Is chikungunya endemic in certain regions?
- Yes, primarily in tropical and subtropical regions (Africa, Asia, Americas)
- 15. What research is being done on chikungunya?
- Vaccine development (MV-CHIK, inactivated, live-attenuated)
- Antiviral therapies (e.g., favipiravir, ribavirin)
- Mechanistic studies on chronic arthritis