Are you confused about chikungunya?

Female A. aegypti mosquitoes can spread the chikungunya, dengue and Zika viruses to humans through their bite. — AFP

I read with growing worry about chikungunya disease – I am not even sure how to ­pronounce it! I booked a trip to China some time ago, but having read about the chikungunya cases soaring there, I’m becoming a little hesitant to go. Is this disease spread by mosquitoes?

You’ve got that right; chikungunya is indeed spread by mosquitoes.

These mosquitoes are not the same ones as the ones that cause dengue, are they?

Actually, they are.

The mosquitoes that spread chikungunya are Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus.

In Malaysia, dengue is primarily spread by the A. aegypti mosquito, although some cases are caused by A. albopictus.

I heard that after the mosquito bites you and you get chikungunya disease, you can spread it to other people living with you. Is that right?

No, it is not.

The chikungunya virus cannot be transmitted from person to person through normal contact, like the touching of hands, the sharing of utensils, or even saliva.

However, it can be spread through blood, e.g. if you had a blood transfusion from someone who has chikungunya disease.

There have been reports of some healthcare workers ­contracting chikungunya after handling the blood of infected patients, but these cases are very rare.

Is chikungunya a Japanese disease?

The word may sound “Japanese” to some ears, but it is actually not.

The disease was first noted in Tanzania, and the name “chikungunya” is from the Kimakonde language, spoken by the Makonde ethnic group based in southeast Tanzania, northern Mozambique and Kenya.

It means “to become contorted” or “bent over”.

It is so named because the disease can cause severe joint pain that causes a person to “bend over”.

Chikungunya is not as ­common as dengue, right?

You are correct.

It is not as common as dengue fever, but it is becoming more common and more widespread.

However, it is also believed that cases of chikungunya are underreported, especially in Africa and parts of Asia.

Now, the virus has gone global, affecting more than 110 countries.

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Is chikungunya spread by the same mosquito as Zika? But Zika is a South American disease, right?

Yes, the same mosquitoes spread all three viruses.

So, the best thing is to eliminate those mosquitoes as quickly as you can!

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Zika outbreaks occurred predominantly in the Caribbean and Latin America, but it is also endemic in Africa and Asia.

Be careful; these days, viral diseases have the propensity to go global very quickly, thanks to air travel.

Getting chikungunya disease is worse than getting dengue, right?

Actually, no.

Dengue fever is worse than chikungunya because dengue can progress to dengue haemorrhagic fever, which can be fatal.

Nevertheless, the symptoms for both diseases, and also for the Zika virus, are similar.

You get fever, joint pain, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, ­nausea and rashes.

These are all considered symptoms of a viral illness, and can also be present in other viral illnesses that are not ­necessarily mosquito-borne.

The joint pains in chikungunya are generally considered worse than those of dengue fever.

There can be prolonged arthritic pain even after you recover from the disease.

Anecdotal story here: I contracted chikungunya disease when I was in my 30s.

I suffered joint pains for two years after that, and some joint deformities caused by the ­­­­arthritis in my fingers.

While it does not impair my movement, even when it comes to playing the piano, my fingers are slightly crooked to this day.

Nevertheless, chikungunya, like dengue, can also only cause a very mild infection – it all depends on your luck of the draw.

You cannot get chikungunya if you are a child, right?

You can get it at any age.

You are more likely to get it if you travel to a country that has a current outbreak.

Those aged 65 and above, and people with diabetes, high blood pressure and heart ­disease, are more at risk of ­chikungunya complications than people who are younger or do not have these conditions.

There is no cure for chikungunya disease, right?

Yes, but then again, there is no cure for many viral diseases either.

Most treatments are about managing the symptoms, such as fever and joint pain.

You need to drink plenty of fluids and get lots of rest to allow your body to fight off the virus.

Most people feel better after one week to 10 days.

Once I get chikungunya, will I be immune for life?

Yes, you will be.

Current medical evidence shows that you are very unlikely to get it ever again.

Dr YLM graduated as a medical doctor, and has been writing for many years on various subjects such as medicine, health, computers and entertainment. For further information, email [e-mail]. The information provided is for educational and communication purposes only, and it should not be construed as personal medical advice. Neither The Star nor the author gives any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to such information. The Star and the author disclaim all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.