NewsDesk @bactiman63

In a follow-up on the chikungunya situation in Brazil this year, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) reports Brazil has seen 186,170 total cases, including 75,505 confirmed cases through July 16.

Image/CDC

40 deaths have been recorded.

This compares to the 101,000 total cases and 11 deaths reported during the same period in 2021.

Chikungunya is a viral disease transmitted to humans through the bites of mosquitoes infected with the chikungunya virus.

It was first described during an outbreak in southern Tanzania in 1952 and has now been identified in nearly 40 countries in Asia, Africa, Europe and, most recently, the Americas. Symptoms usually begin 4 to 8 days after a mosquito bite but can appear anywhere from 2 to 12 days.

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The most common symptom is an abrupt onset of fever, often accompanied by joint pain. Other symptoms include muscle pain, headache, nausea, fatigue, and rash. Severe joint pain usually lasts a few days but can persist for months or even years. Serious complications are uncommon, but atypical severe cases can cause long-term symptoms and even death, especially in older people.

There is currently no vaccine or specific drug against the virus.