Painful Chikungunya virus spreads

Painful virus: Chikungunya fever continues to spread

05/25/2014

The Chikungunya virus continues to spread. Since the end of last year numerous cases have been registered in the Caribbean, especially in the Dominican Republic. Tourists should take personal protective measures.

More cases observed in Caribbean countries
Chikungunya fever is often described as a mix of the flu and osteoarthritis: joint and headache associated with high fever. So far, the infectious disease was widespread, especially in Africa and in South and Southeast Asia. But since the end of 2013, more and more cases are being observed in the Caribbean countries. In the Dominican Republic alone, the number of those affected is now in the tens of thousands. The Foreign Ministry also writes that there have been confirmed cases of illness in Caribbean countries since April 2014. Travelers should always follow personal mosquito repellent measures.

Diseases also in Germany
The Chikungunya fever is transmitted by two mosquito species, the Egyptian tiger mosquito (Aedes aegypti) and the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus). Both species can be found worldwide. The Chikungunya virus was discovered in East Africa in the 1950s. For some time, however, the infectious disease has spread to Africa and South and Southeast Asia. In other parts of the world, infections have so far mostly been confined to individual travelers who had become infected, often on vacation. According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), there are always such cases in Germany. However, there were occasional outbreaks without those affected had previously traveled to risk areas, such as 2007 in northern Italy.

Over 55,000 people affected
According to experts, it was only a matter of time before the virus spread. „With the growing number of travelers, the likelihood of this happening is huge, and now it has apparently happened“, said Roger Nasci from the US Center for Health Control and Prevention (CDC). In December of last year, a transmission was reported for the first time in the French overseas territory Saint Martin. The virus was probably introduced by an infected traveler. Meanwhile, more than 55,000 people have been affected since December, according to the Pan-American health organization in the Dominican Republic and other Caribbean states.

Non-fatal feverish disease
Chikungunya fever is a feverish disease that usually does not kill. After an incubation period of a few days, symptoms such as swollen lymph nodes, itchy rash, mucosal bleeding or gastrointestinal complaints may occur in addition to fever and muscle or limb pain. The name of the disease is derived from the symptoms. Since patients are often unable to sustain themselves because of the severe pain, members of the African people of the Makonde spoke of Chikungunya, which means in their language „the crooked walking“. The infectious disease can only be treated symptomatically.

So far, there is no vaccine
In the context of Chikungunya, the Caribbean authorities reported seven deaths, including pre-existing conditions. There is no vaccine so far, the only possible protection is the mosquito bites. Measures to kill mosquito colonies are being carried out in several Caribbean countries, informing the population about the disease and preventive measures. Since the Caribbean is a popular holiday destination, it is feared that tourists could stay away. However, there are no signs yet.

Protection against mosquito bites
The Dominican Ministry of Health has a small consolation for those affected: „Anyone who has once suffered from Chikungunya fever, it gets a second time.“ And also the US expert Nasci explained that only rarely damages remained behind and „Once you have survived the disease, it is immune for a lifetime.“ Experts are generally advised to protect themselves in areas where mosquito-borne diseases are at risk. In addition to mosquito repellents, this could be done via long-sleeved, light and tightly woven clothing, mosquito nets or mosquito nets. (Ad)