Chikungunya Fever

Excerpt

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an arthropod-borne alphavirus that belongs to the family Togaviridae transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. The virus is known for causing an acute febrile illness, rash, and arthralgia known as Chikungunya fever followed by potentially chronic and debilitating arthritic symptoms that may last for months or years. Historically, CHIKV was found mainly in Africa and Asia, initially isolated in the Makonde Plateau in Tanzania in 1952. The name Chikungunya is derived from a Makonde phrase meaning, "that which bends up." The worst outbreak reported occurred in the Reunion Island in 2005-2006 affecting nearly 35% of the population. Since 2005, cases of Chikungunya fever have spread mainly in tropical and sub-tropical regions finally reaching the Americas via the Caribbean island of St. Martin in 2013. Today, CHIKV is widespread worldwide and is a global public health concern.