An Epidemic Waiting To Be Unleashed?

"Two years past since the 1.5 million Chikungunya cases reported in India, now Malaysia starts to show signs of another repeat of the epidemic of 2006"

Chikungunya virus
ssRNA (single stranded RNA)
Family - Togaviridae
Genus - Alphavirus


CHee-KOon-GooN-Yeah

Well well, it was just last two semesters where we learn the heads and tails of this virus, though not in details, look who laughing now Prof Zauyah (but seriously, don't laugh, not cool).
When we were taught about the virus it was not as manifested as it is now and back then (which was a few months back) there were only a few reported cases, and it wasn't "serious", now that it is, everyone is so into knowing what Cik Kun Goon Yah is all about.

SIGN(s) &SYMPTOMS
Since it's symptoms is as similar to the ones projected by dengue fever (refer the list highlighted in red below) it is also shares the same mode of transmission(in simpler terms transporter) which is the aedes mosquito. The symptoms may start to show in 1-12 days as that is the incubation period for the virus to manifest after the mosquito bite.

Swelling of Joints, Headache

Rash (May occur rarely)

Sometimes there maybe infection of the conjunctiva of the eye and some photophobia.

Chills

Joint pain (or arthralgia),Fever (> 40 C, 104 F)

Arthritis affecting multiple joints that can be debilitating.

Nausea

Vomiting

Bleeding or hemorrhage (May occur rarely).

In one study over 12% of patients who contract Chikungunya virus infection develop chronic joint symptoms.

TREATMENT(s)

Currently there's no specific treatment for the virus nor are there any vaccines for it.
In the meantime, the only known antiviral agent which help combat the known symptoms is Chloroquine which helps combat the arthritis brought by the virus.
The fact sheet on Chikungunya advises against using aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen and other NSAIDs that are recommended for arthritic pain and fever.


MY TAKE
I'm not an expert but the health departments all over this country should do it's bit to prevent the disease and to prevent a repeat of India's major wipe out.
The public should be well informed and educated on ways to prevent and measures they could take although it's as similar to what preventing dengue fever (you know all the mosquito shooing and whatnot) but the public should be kept at their feet about the increasing number of cases and also what will happen if they put their foot of the gas for even a split second.

p/s: Gosh this entry is dry...but hey it's educational..


References

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chikungunya
• www.medindia.net
• Microbiology Notes, RNA viruses