Chikungunya
This nasty little virus infects its victims through mosquito bites. It causes fever, severe joint pain, muscle pain, headaches and skin rashes.
Learn more
Key Fact
The disease shares some clinical signs with dengue and zika, and can be misdiagnosed in areas where they are common. There is no cure for the disease. Treatment is focused on relieving the symptoms.1
-
How do people catch these disease?
When they’re bitten by infected mosquitoes which carry the virus.2
-
Which countries are affected?
More than a hundred countries 2, including much of Central and South America, sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, India, China and many other areas of Asia and Southeast Asia (see map).
-
What are the symptoms?
- Sudden onset of high temperature, pain in the joints and muscles, headache, nausea, fatigue and rash.1
- Symptoms usually appear 4-8 days after being bitten
-
How serious is the disease?
Serious cases are not common and most people make a full recovery. But pain in the joints can last for months or even years1 and while symptoms can be treated, there is no known cure.
-
Can I reduce the chances of catching the disease?
You can take the following precautions to help reduce your risk of infection:
- Visit your nearest convenient specialist travel health clinic for a risk assessment before your trip
- Take steps to avoid mosquito bites when mosquitoes are most active (during daylight hours) 3
- Use a recommended insect repellent containing either 20% Icaridin (e.g Moskito Guard®) or 50% DEET. 1
- Wear appropriate clothing (e.g long-sleeved clothes and long trousers) 3,4
References
1805-AT-WEB-006
18-May-2018
- World Health Organization. Factsheet. Chikungunya. April 2017. Available online: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs327/en/ (Last accessed May 2018)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Chikungunya Virus. Geographic Distribution. Countries and territories where chikungunya cases have been reported* (as of April 25, 2018). Available online: https://www.cdc.gov/chikungunya/geo/index.html (Last accessed May 2018)
- Gesundheit.GV.AT. Chikungunya. Available online: https://www.gesundheit.gv.at/leben/gesundheitsvorsorge/reisemedizin/infektionskrankheiten/chikungunya
(Last accessed May 2018) - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Yellow Book 2018. Chapter 2. The Pre-Travel Consultation. Counseling & Advice for Travelers. Protection against Mosquitoes, Ticks, & Other Arthropods. May 2017. Available online: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2018/the-pre-travel-consultation/protection-against-mosquitoes-ticks-other-arthropods (Last accessed May 2018)
1805-AT-WEB-006
18-May-2018
Find a clinic