Chikungunya is a virus spread by mosquitoes. It is not normally a serious health issue as it only lasts for 3-7 days. The best prevention is to keep the immune system healthy and taking proper precautions to avoid infection. There are several things one can do to prevent bites from mosquitoes and there are ways to relieve body aches and dehydration that might come if infected.
The symptoms of Chikungunya (also called as Chicken Guinea) include fever which can reach 39°C, (102.2 °F) a petechial or maculopapular rash usually involving the limbs and trunk, and arthralgia or arthritis affecting multiple joints which can be debilitating. There can also be headache, conjunctival infection and slight photophobia. In the present epidemic in the state of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu India, high fever and crippling joint pain is the prevalent complaint. Fever typically lasts for two days and abruptly comes down, however joint pain, intense headache, insomnia and an extreme degree of prostration lasts for a variable period, usually for about 5 to 7 days. Dermatological manifestations observed in a recent outbreak of Chikungunya fever in Southern India includes the following: 1. Maculopapular rash 2. Nasal blotchy erythema 3. Freckle-like pigmentation over centro-facial area 4. Flagellate pigmentation on face and extremities 5. Lichenoid eruption and hyperpigmentation in photodistributed areas 6. Multiple aphthous-like ulcers over scrotum, crural areas and axilla. 7. Lympoedema in acral distribution (bilateral /unilateral) 8. Multiple ecchymotic spots (Children) 9. Vesiculobullous lesions (infants) 10. Subungual hemorrhage 11. Photo Urticaria ( Surat )7 cases Nisarg Skin Clinic ( Dr. Rajesh Buddhadev) 12. Acral Urticaria ( Surat )4 cases Nisarg Skin Clinic ( Dr. Rajesh Buddhadev Recent outbreaks
2005 In February 2005, an outbreak was recorded on the French island of Réunion in the Indian Ocean. As of May 18, 2006, 258,000 residents have been hit by the virus in the past year (out of a population of about 777,000). 219 official deaths have been associated with Chikungunya [2]. In neighboring Mauritius, 3,500 islanders have been hit in 2005 [3]. There have also been cases in Madagascar, Mayotte and the Seychelles.In Nandurbar city of Maharashtra State(India), many people over age 60 died due to chikungunya induced complications. Three months after the viral infection, patients were still suffering from severe joint pain in the morning, dyspepsia, relapsing fever, swelling in the joints. Doctors should also be alert for platelet count abnormalities suggestive of Dengue or Falci. Malaria. (Dr.Manoj Tamboli)
2006 In 2006, there was a big outbreak in the Andhra Pradesh state in India. The initial cases were reported from Hyderabad and Secunderabad as well as from Anantpur district as early as November and December 2005 and is continue unabated. In Hyderabad alone an average practitioner sees any where between 10 to 20 cases every day. Some deaths have been reported but it was thought to be due mainly to the inappropriate use of antibiotics and anti inflammatory tablets. The major cause of morbidity is due to severe dehydration, electrolyte imbalance and loss of glycemic control. Recovery is the rule except for about 3 to 5% incidence of prolonged arthritis. As this virus can cause thrombocytopenia, injudicious use of these drugs can cause erosions in the gastric epithelium leading to exsanguinating upper GI bleed (due to thrombocytopenia). Also the use of steroids for the control of joint pains and inflammation is dangerous and completely unwarranted. On average there are around 5,300 cases being treated everyday. This figure is only from public sector. The figures from the private sector combined would be much higher. There have been reports of large scale outbreak of this virus in Southern India. At least 80,000 people in Gulbarga, Tumkur, Bidar, Raichur, Bellary, Chitradurga, Davanagere, Kolar and Bijapur districts in Karnataka state are known to have been affected since December 2005 [4].
A separate outbreak of Chikungunya fever was reported from Malegaon town in Nasik district, Maharashtra state, in the first two weeks of March 2006, resulting in over 2000 cases. In Orissa state, amost 5000 cases of fever with muscle aches and headache were reported between February 27 and March 5, 2006 [5]. In Bangalore, the state capital of Karnataka (India), there seems to be an outbreak of Chikungunya now (May 2006) with arthralgia/arthritis and rashes. So also in the neighbouring state of Andhra Pradesh. In the 3rd week of May 2006 the outbreak of Chikungunya in North Karnataka was severe. All the North Karnataka districts specially Gulbarga, Koppal, Bellary, Gadag, Dharwad were affected. The people of this region are hence requested to be alert. Stagnation of water which provides fertile breeding grounds for the vector (Aedes aegypti) should be avoided. The latest outbreak is in Tamil Nadu, India - 20,000 cases have been reported in June 2006. Earlier it was found spreading mostly in the outskirts of Bangalore, but now it has started spreading in the city also (Updated 30/06/2006). More that 300,000 people are affected in Karnataka as of July 2006 [6]. Reported on 29/06/2006, Chennai - fresh cases of this disease has been reported in local hospitals. A heavy effect has been reflected in south TN districts like Kanyakumari and Tirunelveli. Residents of Chennai are warned against the painful disease. As of July 2006, nearly 50,000 people were affected in Salem, Tamil Nadu [7]. As of August 2006, nearly 100,000 (one lakh) people were infected in Tamil Nadu. Chennai, capital of Tamil Nadu is one of the worst affected. On 24 August 2006, The Hindu newspaper reported that the Indian states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Kerala had reported 1.1 million (11 lakh) cases. The government's claim of no deaths is questioned. [8] Analysis of the recent outbreak has suggested that the increased severity of the disease may be due to a change in the genetic sequence, altering the virus' coat protein, which potentially allows it to multiply more easily in mosquito cells [9]. In July 2006, a team analyzed the virus' RNA and determined the genetic changes that have occured in various strains of the virus and identified those genetic sequences which led to the increased virulence of recent strains [10]. As per 31 August 2006, neighbouring cities of Salem, Erode and Coimbatore have been severly affected by this epidermic. All the above places are in South India
In Andaman Is.(India) Chikungunya cases had been registered virtualy for the first time in the month of June 2006.In the begning of the September cases have gone as much as in thousands.As reported in a local newsmagazine it has taken the state of epidemic in Andamans.Health authorities are doing their best to handle the situation.Relapsed cases have been noticed with severe pain and swelling in the lower limbs, vomiting and general weakness. As per 11 Sept., 2006, an outbreak is underway in the western parts of India, specifically the southeast parts of the state of Gujarat, which are recovering from the heavy rainfall caused floods. chicken gunya is also noticed in some parts of goa. speacially the south goa. about 5000 people have already been suffering from chicken gunya. 19 Sept., 2006 - Currently after the flood and heavy rains in Rajasthan in August 2006, India, thousands cases been detected in Rajasamand, Bhilwara, Udaipur, Chittorgarh district. However surprisingly there is no mention of all these in media or by Government. 21 Sept, 2006 - Delhi-based family members got infected as well. 22 Sept 2006 - case detected back home in UK traveller based in Udaipur at the time of floods in August/September. Symptoms included rash, fever, muscle and joint pain, severe headache. Antihistamines prescribed for itching. Advised 6 weeks of fatigue to follow after 5 days of acute illness. Recommended rest and plenty of fluids.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/chikungunya... The mosquito species that transmits the Chikungunya virus is the Aedes albopictus, commonly known as the Asian tiger mosquito or forest mosquito. There being no vaccine or preventive drug for chikungunya at present, the best way to avoid the infection is to control the mosquito population in the region and prevent mosquito bites. http://curezone.com/blogs/m.asp?f=380&i=... Last year, several members of the Iowa State University Department of Entomology presented the results of a study on common catnip. Among their conclusions was the fact that an essential oil in catnip is 10 times more effective at repelling mosquitoes than potent chemicals such as DEET. http://curezone.com/blogs/m.asp?f=634&i=... There are many ways to cure and prevent chikungunya. It takes being conscious of what is causing the problem, eliminating risks, and watching one's diet and hygiene;
*Eat a healthy diet with mostly raw vegetables and most fruits
*Avoid bannanas, chocolates, yogurt as they attract mosquitoes
*Wear long pants and socks with closed shoes during mosquito season
* Vitamin B Complex will help prevent bites
* Avoid dairy as dairy plugs up the elimination system
* Bathe with unscented soap and shampoo to avoid attracting mosquitoes
* Avoid wheat products if the virus infection is coming on
*Use catnip, rosemary, and neem oil to spray on exposed areas of skin (I would add lavender for aroma improvement) *Make a bath with the above essential oils
*Avoid going out of doors during the greatest risk times at dusk and dawn, or at least cover the legs, arms, and feet during the early moring and evening
*Avoid sugary drinks and alcohol
*Eliminate standing water in your area(put a few drops of neem oil or catnip oil in pools of water to prevent eggs from hatching)
*Eliminating table salt and adding sea salt to salt foods will mineralize the body and improve toxin elimination threrefore improvie the immune response
*Drinking 6-8 glasses of clean water every day will clear the elimination system and help
prevent or eliminate the virus more efficiently if infected
* I would also add one drop of wild oregano oil to a shot glass of carrot juice or some other strong juice if I was fully infected,
*Amp up on Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and try Golden Seal if infected
*Drink green tea for relief
* Drinking unsweetened fruit juice or vegetable juice with a teaspoon of raw apple cider vinegar with a dash of cayenne, turmeric, and cinamon to provide good flora and pH balance to speed up recovery.
*MSM or Glucosamine are supplements that could help with body aches.
*If you have access to the herb Boneset herb also called comfrey, knitbone, Snake Root, and blackwort, it is a very good anti-inflamatory and excellent for body aches http://curezone.com/blogs/f.asp?f=687&t... *One study found that tannic acid from nutgall apparantly binds to Chikungunya and inhibits the virus. Sources of Tannic Acid: Nutgall, Tea, Nettle, Wood, Berries, Chinese galls. Oak wood is very rich in tannic acid. Oak leaves were also mentioned. Take an iron supplement if using foods with high amounts of tannic acid.
Effects of tannic acid and its related compounds upon Chikungunya virus http://diglib.tums.ac.ir/pub/magmng/pdf/... Tannic Acid In-Activates the Chikungunya virus http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query... Plants with Phytochemicals http://www.phytochemicals.info/phytochem...
Hope this helps