Chikungunya- An Update

摘要

Chikungunya is an arboviral disease which is transmitted by the bite of the Aedes mosquito, which recently reemerged as a massive epidemic in the Indian Ocean islands and India. Chikungunya is generally considered as a self-limiting disease and has been reported to be non-fatal. The Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) was isolated in Tanganyika (now Tanzania) in 1953. Chikungunya outbreaks were reported in India in 2005, and 1.4 million Chikungunya cases were reported from different states. This disease has reemerged in India after 32 years. It should be pronounced as CHICK_EN_GUN_YAH not as CHICKENGUINEA. There are many cases which have been noted, but very few deaths have been reported. The lack of any official reports of the deaths could remain as a poor recording of the ?Causes of Death? in India. Correct reporting, recording and monitoring are essential for the screening of this disease for the purpose of the proper management and the prevention of the spread of this disease.