ABOUT THE VIRUS
What is chikungunya?
Chikungunya is a viral infection spread by the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito, the same mosquitoes responsible for dengue and Zika. Unlike many other mosquito species, Aedes mosquitoes are aggressive daytime biters and thrive in urban as well as rural settings.
Symptoms typically appear three to seven days after being bitten, and usually include a sudden high fever alongside severe joint pain, often in the hands, wrists, ankles and feet. Headache, muscle pain, rash and fatigue are also common. Most people recover within one to two weeks, but for a significant minority the joint pain persists for months, and occasionally longer. There is no specific antiviral treatment; care focuses on rest, fluids and pain relief.
Chikungunya is rarely fatal, though serious complications are more likely in older adults and people with underlying health conditions.