Chikungunya (pronounced as chiki-en-GUN-yah) disease was first detected in 1952 in Africa. The name "chikungunya" is from the Makonde language and its meaning is "that which bends up". This is a reference to the Chikungunya symptom where patients walk in a stooped posture due to joint pain. The similarity to the word "Chicken" has also lead to a lot of misconceptions about the disease. Since 1952, Chikungunya showed cyclical outbreaks. From 2003 onwards frequent outbreaks were reported especially in south India. In 2016, the outbreak has been more in the north, especially in the Delhi-NCR area. Chikungunya is a viral disease transmitted in humans by the bite of infected Aedes aegypti mosquito. This is usually found in tropics and hence the reason why Chikungunya is predominantly seen in Asian countries. Aedes aegypti mosquito bites during daytime and hence daytime mosquito bite is the main reason for transmission. It needs only 2 ml of water for breeding and their eggs can lay dormant up to 1 year. Chikungunya virus requires an agent for transmission and hence direct human to human transmission is not possible. Usually, transmission occurs when a mosquito bites an infected person and then later bites a non-infected person.  

What are the Symptoms of Chikungunya Fever?

Chikungunya typically starts with one or more of the following symptoms - chills, fever, vomiting, nausea, headache and joint pain. The fever can reach up to 104-degree Celsius. The attack is sudden and sometimes it is accompanied by rashes. Severe joint pain is the main and the most problematic symptom of Chikungunya. Symptoms usually begin 3–7 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Chikungunya symptoms are similar to diseases such as Dengue, Malaria and Leptospirosis. In many cases, the only differentiating factor for symptoms is the acute joint pain. Some of the physical symptoms of Chikungunya include -

  • Redness in eye along with difficulty in looking at light 
  • Severe fever with a headache and joint pain
  • Rashes may also appear usually on limbs and trunks

Diagnosis of Chikungunya

Blood-testis the only reliable way to identify Chikungunya since the symptoms are similar to much more deadly dengue fever. Chikungunya is confirmed when symptoms such as fever and joint pain are seen along with the presence of IgM antibodies. If a blood test is done early, (after 8 to 10 days from the day the fever sets in), the test is likely to be negative in 60 to 70% cases. Trouble is, no doctor or patient waits, or should wait to do a blood test five days after the fever has subsided - it is only then that 90 percent of the tests are positive. These antibodies persist up to 6 months of infection.

Treatment of Chikungunya

There is no anti-viral drug or medicine specifically for Chikungunya but since it is cured by the immune system in almost all cases & hence there is no need to worry. Treatment is usually given for the symptoms and includes taking sufficient rest, taking more fluid, food and medicines to relieve pain. Usually, the disease starts to decrease in intensity after 3 days and it may take up to 2 weeks for recovery. But in elderly, the recovery is very slow and may take up to 3 months. In some cases, the joint pain can last even up to a year.

Prevention of Chikungunya

Currently, there is no vaccine for Chikungunya. There is the only way to prevent Chikungunya fever - don't get bit by a mosquito! This is easier said than done in a tropical country such as India. Once a person has been infected, he or she is likely to develop lifelong immunity and is usually protected from future infections.