(Chikungunya) Stealthy, Debilitating Disease Is Poised to Sweep the United States
07-10-2014, 11:33 AM
Chikungunya is already a serious concern in places like the Dominican Republic. Chikungunya is an arthropod-borne virus, of the genus Alphavirus, that is transmitted to humans by virus-carrying Aedes mosquitoes.
CHIKV causes an illness with an acute febrile phase lasting two to five days, followed by a longer period of joint pains in the extremities; this pain may persist for years in some cases.
The best means of prevention is overall mosquito control and in addition, the avoidance of bites by any infected mosquitoes. There is no specific treatment but medications can be used to reduce symptoms. Rest and fluids may also be useful.
The links below provide more detail:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/next/body/c...-outbreak/
http://www.cdc.gov/chikungunya/
CHIKV causes an illness with an acute febrile phase lasting two to five days, followed by a longer period of joint pains in the extremities; this pain may persist for years in some cases.
The best means of prevention is overall mosquito control and in addition, the avoidance of bites by any infected mosquitoes. There is no specific treatment but medications can be used to reduce symptoms. Rest and fluids may also be useful.
The links below provide more detail:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/next/body/c...-outbreak/
http://www.cdc.gov/chikungunya/