What is Chikungunya?

26-08-2023

01:03 PM

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1 min read
What is Chikungunya? Blog Image

Overview:

According to a recently published research paper, a human clinical trial of a vaccine candidate to prevent chikungunya has returned a 99% immune response.

About Chickengunya:

  • It is a viral disease transmitted to humans through the bites of mosquitoes infected with the chikungunya virus.
  • The word comes from the African Makonde language and means "bent over in pain." 
  • It is most commonly transmitted by mosquitoes, Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti and Aedes (Stegomyia) albopictus, which can also transmit dengue and Zika viruses.
  • It was first described during an outbreak in southern Tanzania in 1952 and has now been identified in nearly 40 countries in Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas.
  • Symptoms:
    • Symptoms usually begin 4 to 8 days after a mosquito bite but can appear anywhere from 2 to 12 days.
    • The most common symptom is an abrupt onset of fever, often accompanied by joint pain. 
    • Other symptoms include muscle pain, headache, nausea, fatigue, and rash. 
    • Serious complications are uncommon, but atypical severe cases can cause long-term symptoms and even death, especially in older people.
  • Treatment:
    • There is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment for chikungunya virus infections.
    • The goal of treatment for the infection is to relieve symptoms with rest, fluids and drugs.

 


Q1) What is dengue?

Dengue is a viral infection caused by the dengue virus (DENV), transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes.Dengue is found in tropical and sub-tropical climates worldwide, mostly in urban and semi-urban areas.

Source: Chikungunya vaccine shows 99% immune response, says study