In what parts of world is chickengunya prevalent?

Chickengunya is prevalent in Tanzania, some parts of Africa, and some parts of Asia. In India, it is prevalent in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, kerala, Karnataka, some parts of Rajasthan, and parts of Gujarat. In Kerala, there has been epidemic of chickengunya.

Transmission of Chickengunya:

Infected mosquitoes of Aedes aegypti type transmit Chickengunya. It can act as a reservoir for the virus. The mosquito first bites any animal or human being who is infected. Thus the mosquito becomes infected and it bites another animals or human being and the spread of the disease continues. It can never spread from human to human, as this disease is not contagious.

Symptoms of Chickengunya:

Chickengunya is also called “BREAK BONE FEVER”.
Patient suffers from high-grade fever along with severe body ache, headache, nausea, vomiting, rashes, severe joint pain and extreme fatigue.

Fever is generally high grade and above 102 * F. It lasts for generally two days but the debility remains for days or weeks together. Fatigue and joints pain give rise to a lot of debility. Red bloodlike patches or maculopapular rashes are seen on limbs and trunk along with fever which resembles to dengue.

Multiple joints pain or arthralgia makes it difficult for a patient to move around. So the patient has to take complete bed rest.

Chickengunya is a nonfatal disease but last year in Gujarat, many people died in the epidemic of Chickengunya.

Diagnosis of Chickengunya:

Chickengunya is diagnosed by a simple blood test done in pathology laboratory.

Treatment of Chickengunya:

So far there is no vaccine or a specific antiviral drug is available for chickengunya. So the treatment of chickengunya is more of a symptomatic treatment.

Patient is advised complete bed rest. Drugs like Ibuprofen, naproxen, paracetamol are given to control aches and pains. But aspirin is contraindicated.

Patient is advised to take lots of fluids orally. If this is not possible then IV fluids are given.

Patient is advised to take a healthy balanced diet so that he recovers fast.

Nowadays, chlroquine is gaining importance as a potent antiviral which can be effectively used in treatment of Chickengunya. According to the University of Malaya’ “In unresolved arthritis refractory to aspirin and non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, Chloroquine phosphate (250 mg/day) has given promising results.”

PREVENTION OF CHICKENGUNYA:

As there are no specific drugs available for the treatment of Chickengunya, prevention is the best possible tool available with us.

Chickengunya is transmitted by mosquito bites so the most important thing is to avoid exposure to mosquitoes. This can be done by protecting the doors and windows by mosquito nets.

Full sleeve shirts and pants should be worn.

Stagnant water reservoir is the best breeding place for the mosquito. So such stagnation of water should not be allowed.

House and surrounding areas should be kept clean and dry. Swimming pools if not in used, should be kept clean and dry.

Mosquito repellents containing DEET should be applied on the body.

Person who is infected with chickengunya should remain indoors only so as to limit his own exposure to mosquito and thus preventing its spread to other people.