Latest update November 8th, 2024 1:00 AM
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Treating the Chikungunya Virus
(Details from the Desk of the Vector Control Director, Dr Reyaud Rahman)
The Chikungunya Virus is a disease that was first identified in Tanzania in 1952. Its name comes from the Makonde ethnic group which means “that which bends up”.
Dr Reyaud Rahman
Guyana has been affected by this mosquito-carrying disease. It was first identified in the Caribbean island of St Martin in November 2013 and in Guyana in May 2014.
Numerous Caribbean countries have accounted for a large number of cases, with our neighbour Suriname recording more than 500,000 confirmed cases and Puerto Rico accounting for more than 2,000. Between all the South American countries and Caribbean territories there are over 700,000 suspected cases of the Chikungunya Virus and over 11,000 confirmed cases.
This disease is transmitted by infected mosquitoes namely the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. The Aedes aegypti is found mainly on the coast of Guyana and is found in our homes, workplaces and yards. The main tool which can be used to combat these mosquitoes and manage this disease would be to ensure that all individuals practice source reduction.
Source reduction is to ensure that all breeding sites are eliminated in our direct surroundings. All containers, receptacles or anything that collects water are potential breeding sites and by not promoting these sites would invariably mean that mosquitoes will have nowhere to breed and flourish, which would further decrease their numbers or density.
Individuals that have a positive confirmed result from the National Public Health Reference Laboratory at the Ministry of Health or a suspected case should ensure that they are protected by sleeping under a mosquito net, using mosquito repellent and aerosol sprays, and wearing long sleeve and light-coloured clothing if available. This is done to ensure that the individual does not get bitten and prevents the mosquito from transmitting the disease to another individual.
An individual is most contagious when he/she has a high fever, during this window period if a mosquito bites an infected individual it will also get infected with the Chikungunya virus and pass it on to another individual which it bites.
Chikungunya has three different phases. These are an acute, sub-acute and chronic.
The acute phase lasts for between 3-12 days and then disappears in 87 percent of infected individuals. The sub-acute phase occurs from a month to three months after the acute phase and the main symptoms are joint pains (arthritis). The chronic phase occurs after three months and persist for over two years or longer, and the main symptoms are joint pains, fatigue and in some cases depression and weakness to the body. Persons with underlying joint disease and the elderly may be more affected.
Treatments for the disease are mainly symptomatic, there is no anti-viral medication, and no use of antibiotics should be given as they have no effect on the Chikungunya virus.
Basic tablets should be used for fever such as Panadol/Paracetamol, for joint pains mainly non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs should be given (Ibuprofen, naproxen etc.).
The individual is advised to drink lots of fluids, over two litres in 24 hours, rest, do light stretches (do not do strenuous exercise it will only exacerbate joint pains), use ice and compress the joints that are painful and if the disease becomes chronic it may be helpful to see a rheumatologist to possibly be prescribed steroids to manage this symptom.
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