What is Chikungunya Virus and How Does it Spread?
Chikungunya (chik-en-gun-ye) is one of the lesser known viruses transmitted to humans by mosquitoes, but it is gaining notoriety in the Western Hemisphere since its introduction to the Americas in 2013 on several Caribbean islands. Certain parts of Africa, Southeast Asia, and India report the largest number of cases each year. Areas with known transmission should consider extra preventative measures for newborns, older adults (65+), and people with medical conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. Chikungunya disease can result in painful and disabling symptoms, but it is rare to see complications resulting in death. If a person has been infected, their body will likely build a tolerance for protection against future infections.
 | Symptoms of Chikungunya Infection |
- Chikungunya symptoms typically begin with a fever three to seven days after exposure.
- Following the fever, individuals experience significant joint pain or stiffness usually lasting for weeks or months.
- Other symptoms can include muscle pain, headache, rash, or joint swelling.
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- Currently, no specific medications exist to treat chikungunya virus infection or disease.
- Treatment for symptoms includes rest and the use of acetaminophen to relieve fever and pain.
- Patients should also be advised to drink plenty of fluids if diagnosed.
- If anyone has recently traveled to a known endemic area and are displaying any of the symptoms of chikungunya infection, they should consult their physician immediately.
Chikungunya Misdiagnosed as Dengue
Chikungunya infection has symptoms similar to dengue infection and can be misdiagnosed in areas where dengue is common. Both infections can result in fever, headache, and muscle aches. Lingering joint pain, with some adults experiencing months of arthritis, is the main difference for individuals with a chikungunya infection.
Chikungunya and the United States
Beginning in 2014, the United States began reporting cases from citizens who had contracted the disease in South America and the Caribbean and traveled back to the U.S. before symptoms had begun (Imported Cases). Local transmission of chikungunya (citizens that have contracted the disease in the U.S.) has now been confirmed in Florida, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In 2015, a total of 679 chikungunya virus disease cases were reported to ArboNET (the national arboviral surveillance system managed by the CDC) from 44 U.S. states, all of which occurred from imported cases. U.S. territories reported 202 cases of locally-transmitted cases of chikungunya virus from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. There is a risk that the virus will continue to spread to new areas by infected travelers in the years to come. Unlike the more commonly recognized mosquito-borne viruses in the United States, which have an animal reservoir, chikungunya virus is a human virus. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on a person already infected with the virus and then spread the virus by feeding on other humans. A portion of the United States is at a higher risk because of climate and the presence of certain Aedes mosquitoes.
A Global View of Chikungunya
Chikungunya is most often transmitted by Aedes aegyptiand Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. These species are also responsible for the transmission of dengue virus, yellow fever virus, and more recently Zika virus. The below maps highlight parts of the world that provide a suitable environment for each species.
Know Your Aedes Mosquitoes
Aedes aegypti, the yellow fever mosquito, is characterized by a silvery-white “lyre-shaped” pattern of scales on its thorax. It is a peridomestic species found not far from human dwellings. They are primarily early morning or late afternoon feeders, but females can also take a bloodmeal at night under artificial illumination. Typically, Ae. aegypti fly only a few hundred yards from their breeding sites.
Aedes albopictus, the Asian tiger mosquito, is a black mosquito with distinctive silvery-white scales and a white “racing stripe” on its thorax. First reported in the U.S. in 1983, this species has become one of the most challenging mosquitoes to control and, unlike most mosquitoes, actively bites during full sunlight. Beyond being a daytime biting nuisance, the Asian tiger mosquito is also capable of transmitting several diseases, including
West Nile virus,Zika, dengue, and several forms of encephalitis as well as Chikungunya. The presence of this invasive species has become a major public health concern in many locations across the country.
Both species utilize containers to breed, and educating the public on how to eliminate their backyard larval habitats
is one key to keeping these invaders under control. Larvae can be found in a variety of artificial containers, including buckets, tires, cans, and flower pots. Homeowners should also inspect rain gutters for clogs, gardening equipment, and backyard children’s toys.
Controlling Aedes aegypti/albopictus and Chikungunya
An Integrated Mosquito Management (IMM) program is essential to helping prevent mosquito bites and transmission of serious vector diseases in the United States. As part of an effective IMM program, VDCI recommends a 4-pronged approach to target all phases of the mosquito’s life cycle.
1: Public Education
Community understanding of how to properly eliminate mosquito breeding habitat and take personal protective measures is critical. Furthermore, distribution of educational pieces is important for treating symptoms and aids public health officials in identifying chikungunya problem areas.
2: Surveillance
In order to understand the risk and address the threat appropriately, it is critical to determine the mosquito distribution, density, and species composition throughout the target area. Surveillance will also provide direct evidence of an increased transmission risk of chikungunya.
3: Larval Mosquito Control
When mosquito larvae are detected in an area, trained and experienced ground crews reduce breeding habitat when possible, then preferentially apply Bacillus thuringiensis var israelensis (Bti) to remaining areas of standing water, stagnant pools, and water-holding containers. Aerial and ground application of larvicide via ULV equipment can provide control in hard to reach container habitats.
4: Adult Mosquito Control
VDCI recommends the deployment of two-person teams to conduct targeted ULV applications combined with residual “barrier” applications via backpack applicators to mosquito harborage areas near homes and other structures. In addition, when the disease risk warrants it, truck and aerial ULV applications should be utilized to reduce the adult mosquito population. When combined with our larvicide efforts, these methods have proven highly effective at significantly reducing local populations of the target mosquitoes.
VDCI is a company built on the foundations of public health, ethics, professionalism, and technical expertise. We establish vector management programs that are based on an understanding of the underlying vector’s ecology and rooted in the current science of environmentally sound control measures.
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