Half the world at risk: WHO reports chikungunya virus outbreak

Tengrinews.kz – The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned of the danger of a chikungunya virus epidemic, which is transmitted through mosquito bites, according to USNews.

According to WHO official Diana Rojas Alvarez, new outbreaks that began earlier this year in the Indian Ocean region — on the islands of Reunion, Mayotte, and Mauritius — have already spread to Europe and other continents. The virus is currently spreading to countries such as Madagascar, Somalia, and Kenya, and shows signs of an epidemic in Southeast Asia, including India. Particularly alarming is the growing number of imported cases and the emergence of local virus transmission in Europe.

“There have been approximately 800 imported chikungunya cases in continental France since May 1. Twelve local transmission episodes have been detected in several southern French regions, meaning individuals were infected by local mosquitoes without having travelled to endemic areas. A case was also detected last week in Italy,” the WHO representative said.

She noted that about 5.6 billion people living in 119 countries are at risk of infection. The virus can cause high fever, joint pain, and long-term complications.

“Chikungunya, for which there is no specific treatment and which is spread primarily by Aedes mosquito species, including the ‘tiger mosquito’ that also transmits dengue and Zika, can cause rapid and large outbreaks. As these mosquitoes bite during the day, prevention is key, through the use of insect repellent and long-sleeved clothing,” the WHO stated.

It is noted that a previous chikungunya virus epidemic occurred in 2004–2005, when nearly half a million people were infected, primarily on small island territories.