Chikungunya Overview: Understanding and Awareness toward Prevention and Impeding Control of Mosquito-borne Diseases

Infectious disease by bites-piercing of infected mosquito Aedes aegypti or Aedes albopictus; the dengue fever has characterized by fever and arthritis pain, so it has become probably one of the most important diseases to be concerned about in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. This article attempts to inform on the topic of chikungunya from its causative agents to its symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention measures as well.

Introduction of Chikungunya

The term Chikungunya is derived from the Makonde tongue of the tribe in Tanzania and Mozambique. English translates it to “to be contorted,” something which pertains to the bent posture-acquired often by the sufferer due to pain in connective tissues. Chikungunya is defined as the disease which in the initial time was diagnosed first in Tanzania in 1952. Chikungunya virus over the time caused outbreaks on the different continents such as Asia, America, and Africa and millions of cases from that time have been recorded.

Chikungunya virus is an alphavirus in the Togaviridae family, closely related to other arboviruses associated with significant human disease, such as dengue and Zika viruses. So, its clinical presentation is similar and hence the diagnosis becomes difficult.

How Chikungunya Virus Spreads?

Chikungunya is most commonly caught through the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes. These mosquitoes are very active during daytime, usually biting during the daytime occasions, the early morning, and the late afternoon. Transmission of viruses happens by one infected human through biting a mosquito and from one infected human by biting another human.

These are the main features of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus.:

• They breed in stagnant water contained in containers, in tires, and in drains.

• They thrive in urban and semi-urban environments.

• Unlike some other mosquitoes, they bite during the daytime.

Signs of Chikungunya

The Chikungunya signs normally develop in the time period of 4-8 days; however, it may also appear from 2-12 days after a mosquito bite. These are some of the common signs of having a Chikungunya:

1. High body temperature: Feeling feverish usually occurs above the normal body temperature, and in the early as heightened symptoms emerge when the temperature escalates and reaches above 102-degrees Fahrenheit, more than 39-degrees Celsius.

2. Arthralgia or Painful Joints. It usually affects wrists, fingers, knees and ankles, but the pain may also be very intense in some occasions to restrict movement; the symptoms even last for weeks or maybe even months.

3. Dermatologic Manifestations: Sometimes, a maculopapular rash comes up just as the trunk, limbs, or face. 

4. Headache, nausea, and exhaustion: these are the less specific symptoms, usually observed with practically all febrile illnesses

5. Myalgia. Muscle pains would further add to the overall discomfort.

Although chikungunya is rarely lethal, it may cause chronic arthritis-like joint pains especially in older individuals or those with underlying morbidities.

How to diagnose Chikungunya Virus

Diagnosis of chikungunya is important clinically as  the symptoms are like those of other diseases such as dengue, malaria, and Zika. The following are ways to diagnose it:

1. Clinical Assessment:
   The patient would be examined for the two main symptoms of this disease together with the history of exposure to mosquitoes recently.

2. Laboratory Tests:
   This detection method is for RT PCR. Inflammatory theory sounds very acute; and, of viruses during illness, it is the most single detection. Nowadays, you hear that serologic test against this virus is a confirmatory test for an infection that indeed took IgM and IgG.

Early diagnosis is essential for proper management and prevention of co-infections.

Strategies for Prevention

Prevention efforts focus on minimizing mosquito bites and lowering mosquito numbers because there is currently no vaccine or a specific antiviral treatment for chikungunya. Here is how such efforts are:

1. Personal Protection

• Personal Protections: Long sleeves, long pants, socks, and closed shoes provide maximum protection against the abrasion of open skin areas due to scratching.

• Apply Mosquito Repellent: Such deterrents can be noted DEET, picaridin, or IR3535, containing chemicals.

• Mosquito-Proof Your Sleeping Space: The only most effective way of preventing mosquito bites in endemic areas would be by sleeping under an insecticide-treated net.

2. Mosquito Control

• Find Water Sources: Empty and clean the containers that rebreather points accumulate water, such as flowerpots, buckets, and tires.

• Community Initiatives: Collaborate in the mobilization of resources and manpower towards large-scale integrated mosquito control, including fogging and larvicide applications.

3. Environmental Modifications

• Drain Properly: Urban areas must be drained properly to prevent stagnant water build-up.

• Public Awareness Campaigns: Publicize the prevention and risks associated with chikungunya.

Treatment and Management

Currently, there is no antiviral drug for the cure of chikungunya. Treatment is primarily symptomatic and rehabilitative:

1. Pain Relief:

• Paracetamol is mostly used for its effect against pain and fever.

• NSAIDs (like ibuprofen) contraindicated until ruled out for co-infection by Dengue to avoid bleeding complications.

2. Hydration: 

• Intake of fluid is very important to prevent dehydration.

3. Rest: 

• Resting through the acute phase helps in more rapid recovery.

4. Physiotherapy:

• Physiotherapy in such cases has been found effective in restorative therapy to recover retained motion and ease discomfort.

Impact worldwide of Chikungunya-

Such a serious disease affecting public health currently is that called chikungunya. In fact, it has affected many countries in regions including Asia, Africa and some parts of America. These outbreaks furthermore increase work intensity within the health care sector and reduce productivity while at the same time putting an economic burden on healthy people. Urbanization, climate change, and international travel have made this disease spread to non-endemic territories and signify strongly the need for implementing effective surveillance systems coupled with fully incorporated preventive measures.

Moreover, active researchers are working on the development of vaccines and antiviral agents against chikungunya. However, up to the moment that these measures become available to the public, the best or most effective forms of defence remain public education and mosquito control here.

Conclusion

Chikungunya is no mosquito bites but a deadly mosquito-borne disease that should make attention and preventive action inevitable. Such a nuisance of merely ill health from incapacitating joint pain and possible effects over time is too significant for doing nothing. A little preventive action here and knowledge acquisition along with a little community effort will go a long way to ameliorate the associated risk of the disease for the individual and society. 

In a world punctuated now with increasing mosquitoes born diseases, proactive prevention and timely intervention pay off. Let us join hands in eradicating this scourge of chikungunya for a healthier community.

Your trustworthy partner for Chikungunya, Dr. Saumya Rathi promises the necessary treatment and support. Her understanding and caring approach will enable you to see a better, healthier future.