Chikungunya is a serious viral disease causing persistent joint pain, body pain, fever and rashes. It may take months together for complete recovery from this disease. Mosquitoes are carriers of viruses that cause Chikungunya and they infect the humans with virus while biting. The infected person develops immunity in his body for this disease and hence he/she may not get this infection again.
Chikungunya History :
History of Chikungunya dates back to 1952 where the first case was detected in African region called Makonde Plateau. In Makonde language, the term “Cikungunya” means which bends up. People affected with this disease usually walk in stooped posture due to pain and inflammation of joints. Initially there was plenty of misconception about this disease and finally it was discovered that carrier mosquito (Aedes Aegypti) is responsible for causing Chikungunya.
Number of cases was reported in many regions of Asia and African during 1960 and 1980. Even now cases of Chikungunya are prevalent in India and under-developed regions of Indonesia and Maldives. In the year 2006, there was a large outbreak of this disease in France leaving many deaths and thousands of infected people. Thousands of cases were reported in Delhi, capital of India in 2010.
Chikungunya Causes :
Chikungunya is caused by member of Alphavirus family which is basically arthropod born virus. This virus is transmitted to humans by the bite of mosquito Aedes Aegypti that carries virus. This is the same species of mosquito that causes yellow fever and is largely found in many Asian countries and in tropical regions. Chikungunya is primarily caused during day time bite of Aedes Aegypti mosquito and hence you should take preventive measures for getting rid of mosquito.