CDC Report: Chikungunya Fever Outbreak in Southern U.S. Probable
The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta (CDC) is reporting that the mosquito borne illness, Chikungunya Fever, has the potential to be imported to the southern United States, areas with temperate climates and large mosquito vectors.
Chikungunya Fever is a viral disease, a mosquito-borne pathogen, similar to Dengue Fever.
The disease is transmitted by mosquitoes of the Aedes genus, the same type of mosquitoes that transmit the Dengue Fever Virus.
Chikungunya Fever is endemic to Asia, Africa and the Indian Subcontinent. A large outbreak was reported in 2006-2007 in India, and several other countries in southeast Asia. Italy experienced an outbreak of the disease in the northeastern portion of the country in 2007 as well.
There is no known cure for the disease.
The virus is transmitted from human to human by the bites of infected female mosquitoes of the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus genus, two species which can also transmit the dengue fever virus. These mosquitoes can be found biting throughout daylight hours, although there may be peaks of activity in the early morning and late afternoon.
Once bitten symptoms usually appear between four and eight days but can range from two to 12 days.
Signs and symptoms include acute onset high fever, joint and muscle pain, joint swelling, headache, nausea, fatigue and rash. Most patients generally make a full recovery, and in rare cases death occurs. Debilitating joint pain may last a few days or even weeks, and persist joint pain may last for several months, or even years.
Neurological and heart related issues have been reported, as well as gastrointestinal complaints along with ocular problems. The disease can contribute to the death of the elderly, those with compromised immune systems and the very young. Symptoms often go unrecognized in infected individuals, or be misdiagnosed in areas where dengue fever is endemic.
Treatment options are non-existent, and symptom relief for joint pain is recommended.
There is no known vaccine for Chikungunya Fever. http://guardianlv.com/2013/01/cdc-report-chikungunya-fever-outbreak-in-southern-u-s-probable-2/
