Chikungunya is a viral disease transmitted by the bite of infected female mosquitoes of the aedes species, mainly aedes aegypti.
Aedes Aegypti
It is rare in Malaysia, however in April 2006, 27 people were affected in Perak. From Tanzania (East Africa) in 1953, it has been been identified repeatedly in west, central and southern Africa and many areas of Asia, including Singapore.
Signs and symptoms
- Fever (may last weeks)
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Muscular pain
- Rash
- Severe joint pain (may be persistent)
*no deaths have been conclusively proven due to this virus
Treatment
- Symptomatic
There is no vaccine or specific medication. Medication that will be prescribed is for fever and pain. Treatment is rest and plenty of fluids.
Prevention (as normally done to prevent mosquito bites)
- use insect repllements, mosquito coils / mats / nets
- proper clothing that covers your body when outdoors during dusk or dawn
- eliminate breeding sites – they breed in clean stagnant water
- proper disposal of rubbish – rubbish bin should be properly closed
