Emergence and Surveillance of Chikungunya

Abstract

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), an arbovirus transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, causes a disease characterised by fever, headache, skin rash, myalgias and severe arthralgias: the latter can persist for years. Following the first report in Africa in 1952, sporadic epidemics have been registered in Africa and in Asia before 2000. Since 2005, huge outbreaks have been reported, caused by globalisation (increasing displacement of humans and mosquitoes) and by an evolutionary success related to the adaptation of CHIKV to the mosquito vector: Therefore, CHIKV spread also in Europe, Oceania and the Americas. In endemic areas, seroprevalence studies could contribute to early detection of epidemics and to have a real picture of the burden of this disease. In temperate areas where Aedes aegypti and/or Aedes albopictus are present, CHIKV control measures require surveillance of imported and autochthonous cases, rapid diagnosis to detect local outbreaks and entomological surveillance.

Prophylactic strategies to control chikungunya virus infection

“…Yet some studies for active surveillance have been conducted According to a study that investigated the cause of febrile illness in children during an inter-epidemic period in 5 Asian countries, CHIKV was responsible for 35% of all fevers [ 67 ]. Other seroprevalence studies in Africa confirmed that CHIKV was circulating endemically [ 66 ]. There was a program from the Pacific Public Health Surveillance Network for specific surveillance strategies of CHIKV, DENV and other febrile diseases including case detection and management, laboratory confirmation, vector control and raising awareness [ 68 ].…”

“…If a disease is already endemic in a country, surveillance of this specific disease is only justified if appropriate actions to ban it are planned [ 66 ]. As there is no specific treatment for CHIKF available, the clinical outcome of a patient is only influenced by early detection when a more severe disease can be excluded.…”

“…As there is no specific treatment for CHIKF available, the clinical outcome of a patient is only influenced by early detection when a more severe disease can be excluded. In tropical areas where vector activity is to be expected all year long, the same control measures as for DENV might help avoid high infection numbers and a ready detection of a new outbreak could help reduce the burden to public health by raising awareness [ 66 ]. Between epidemics, serological surveys are hardly done.…”

“…albopictus is present and finds suitable environmental conditions for the transmission of the virus (which is the case when daily temperature are ≥ 18 °C) [ 70 ]. Thus, travellers returning from endemic areas with febrile illness should be readily tested for Malaria, DENV and CHIKV [ 66 ]. According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) the risk assessment states the chance for CHIKV infection in France and Italy, where autochthonous cases have been repeatedly reported, as being moderate [ 71 ].…”

School-Based Health Education in Yucatan, Mexico about the Chikungunya virus and Mosquito Illness Prevention

“…About 3-25% of the patients are asymptomatic. 1 The hallmark symptoms of CHIKV include sudden onset of fever (typically 39-40°C) and severe arthralgia. 2 Other typical symptoms include headache, skin rash, retro-orbital pain, myalgia, neurological syndromes, insomnia, and myelopathy.…”