With most of the 10 chikungunya deaths in the national capital being of elderly people, health experts say there are more chances of elderly patients succumbing to the vector-borne disease due to their low immunity levels, combined with chronic health problems like heart or kidney ailments.

Who is most at risk for chikungunya?

Persons at risk for severe disease include neonates exposed intrapartum, older adults (e.g., > 65 years), and persons with underlying medical conditions (e.g., hypertension, diabetes, or cardiovascular disease).

What is the major cause of disease chikungunya?

Chikungunya is a viral disease transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes. It is caused by the chikungunya virus (CHIKV). A CHIKV infection causes fever and severe joint pain.

Are humans dead end hosts for chikungunya?

Like the arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) dengue, yellow fever, o’nyong’nyong, and Zika, humans are not dead-end hosts for chikungunya virus but rather serve as part of the transmission cycle by efficiently infecting Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.

Can a person get chikungunya twice?

Can you get chikungunya twice? No, only once. Antibodies in charge of protecting people will develop after preliminary infection. According to current available evidence, immunity should be life-long.

Why chikungunya causes joint pain?

According to the authors, uncovering the mechanisms for long-term disease could aid in the development of treatments and preventative measures for this incapacitating, virally induced chronic arthritis. Chikungunya virus is spread by mosquitoes and causes severe joint and muscle pain.

What is the prevention of chikungunya?

There is no vaccine to prevent chikungunya virus infection. The best way to prevent chikungunya is to protect yourself from mosquito bites. Use insect repellent, wear long-sleeved shirts and pants, treat clothing and gear, and take steps to control mosquitoes indoors and outdoors.

Is chikungunya a pandemic or epidemic?

Pandemic threat: Chikungunya has already been a pandemic, albeit one that didn’t affect the Global North. In 2004, a large outbreak in Kenya spilled out into the islands of the Indian Ocean and Asia and led to a pandemic that spanned several years and had more than a million cases.

Why is there no vaccine for chikungunya?

Because CHIKV circulates during epidemics in an urban mosquito–human cycle, control of transmission relies on mosquito abatement, which is rarely effective. Furthermore, there is no antiviral treatment for CHIKV infection and no licensed vaccine to prevent disease.

Can chikungunya cause rheumatoid arthritis?

The mosquito-borne chikungunya virus can lead to symptoms of arthritis that are similar to rheumatoid arthritis.

What is the difference between dengue and chikungunya?

They are both viral infections spread by the Aedes mosquito (in contrast to the Anopheles mosquito, which is associated with malaria). However, they are caused by different forms of virus; chikungunya is caused by a Togaviridae alphavirus, while dengue is caused by a Flavirideae flavivirus.

Is chikungunya a congenital disease?

The most important clinical features of congenital CHIKV infection are pain, fever, lethargy, edema, cutaneous lesions (petechial, bullous rash, and desquamative lesions), and maculopapular rash. Thrombocytopenia, lymphopenia, and hypoprothrombinemia have also been reported.

What are the similarities between chikungunya and dengue?

The Commonality For example – Both dengue and chikungunya are mosquito-borne viral diseases whose vectors are the species of the Aedes mosquito. Both dengue and chikungunya symptoms are characterized by similar signs such as high fever, headache, pain in the joints and eyes, rashes and lethargy.

Can chikungunya spread by kissing?

Since more than 50% of CHIKV-infected people experience gingival bleeding,⁵⁴ this could also encourage infection transmission by kissing.

Can we take bath in chikungunya?

Applying garlic paste or clove oil with pepper can help in reducing inflammation and joint pain, especially around the knees. Taking a bath in hot water mixed with epsom salt and neem leaves can also improve immunity and lesser pain.

Does chikungunya cause death?

Chikungunya disease does not often result in death, but the symptoms can be severe and disabling. Most patients feel better within a week. In some people, the joint pain may persist for months.