An outbreak of the mosquito borne viral disease, chikungunya (CHIKV), has struck Bangladesh’s capital of Dhaka, according to officials at the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR).
Since May, Dhaka has seen 2,700 CHIKV cases, which prompted IEDCR head, Professor Meerjady Sabrina Flora to say, “We’re currently facing a major outbreak of chikungunya”.
“So far we understand the prevailing situation may persist or even worsen till the end of September this year as Aedes mosquitoes could breed even after the ongoing monsoon,” she said and made a plea to Dhaka dwellers to ensure that the mosquitoes could not breed inside their homes.
Chikungunya was first detected in Bangladesh in 2008.
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia tweeted Thursday: While I pray for the early recovery of those affected by chikungunya I strongly urge the govt to take urgent steps to eradicate the causes.
In a press conference today, Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Mayor Annisul Huq today expressed his empathy for Dhaka resident affected by CHIKV.
He also assured the people that the city corporation has taken all possible steps in this regard, “We’ve taken all measures for mosquito control and Chikungunya prevention but some factors are not under our control”.
LISTEN: Chikungunya: An interview with Dr Roger Nasci
Chikungunya is a viral disease transmitted by the bite of infected mosquitoes such as Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. It can cause high fever, join and muscle pain, and headache. The joint pain may last for months or years and may become a cause of chronic pain and disability.
There is no specific treatment for chikungunya infection, nor any vaccine to prevent it. Pending the development of a new vaccine, the only effective means of prevention is to protect individuals against mosquito bites.
Related:
- Bangladesh: Anthrax outbreak sickens 25, kills one
- Bangladesh: Tetanus cases reported post-surgery
- Bangladesh reports human H9N2 avian influenza case
- Bangladesh reports nine Nipah virus cases to date in 2015
- Colombo dengue cases top 20,000, Vaccine requires more research
- Mumbai state of health: Nearly 20 TB deaths a day, dengue cases way up
thank u very much for the information update.I am a researcher on chikungunya from jagannath university; mathematics dept. I need more informations.transmission rate from human to mosquito and vice versa etc.