Chikungunya fever

Abstract

Chikungunya fever is a viral disease resembling dengue, transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito. It is endemic in East Africa and parts of Asia. Its recent epidemic has badly hit India - especially southern and central India - and like malaria and dengue, this infection has almost become endemic. Symptoms of sudden onset of fever, chills, headache, nausea, vomiting, joint pain with or without swelling, low back pain, and rash are very similar to those of dengue. But, unlike dengue, there is no haemorrhagic or shock syndrome. Chikungunya is a self-limiting illness that requires no specific treatment.