Chikungunya is a relatively rare form of viral fever caused by an alpha virus (RNA Virus) that is spread by the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito. The virus is classified under arboviruses which are transmitted by arthropod vectors.
The name is derived from the Makonde word meaning “ that which bends up” in reference to the stooped posture developed as a result of the arthritic symptoms of the disease. The disease was first described in 1952 following an outbreak on the Makonde plateau along the border between Tanganyika and Mozambique.
Chikungunya virus was first isolated from Indian subcontinent in 1963 from Calcutta, since then there have been several reports of Chikungunya virus infection in different parts of India. The last outbreak of Chikungunya virus infection occurred in India in 1971. subsequently the virus had ‘disappreared’ from the subcontinent. However, recent reports of large scale outbreak of fever caused by Chikungunya virus infection in several parts of South India have confirmed the reemergence of this virus.
The symptoms of this infection include abrupt onset of fever, chills, headache and severe joint pain with or without swelling (usually the smaller joints), low back pain and rash. The symptoms are most often clinically indistinguishable from those observed in dengue fever. Therefore it is very important to clinically distinguish Dengue from Chikungunya virus infection. Unlike Dengue Hemorrhagic manifestations are relatively rare and as a rule shock is not observed in Chikungunya virus infection. Most often Chikungunya is a self limiting febrile illness. However, neurological complications such as meningoencephalitis and mother to child transmission has been observed.
The precise reasons for the reemergence of Chikungunya in the Indian subcontinent in not known. Although it is well recognized that reemergence of viral infection are due to a variety of social, environmental, behavioral and biological changes. The challenge faced during this large outbreak in the country has been the lack of rapid diagnostic facilities. Although, the National Institute of Virology at Pune, has been a great help in determining the etiology of the outbreak, relying on one institute in the country to render diagnostic help for case management would be a foolish task. It would be therefore desirable to ensure that several virology laboratories in the country are enrolled and networked to deliver rapid diagnosis in large outbreak such as this as well other emerging viral infections like Chandipura and Avian Influenza.
PRINCE.C.P
Lecturer in Microbiology
Posted bymedical microbiologyat12:21 AM
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